Zambia Referendum 2016 Issues

I have been asked on the issues of the Referendum and what issues we should look at. So I took time to look at various websites and the people encouraging the "No" vote. The most important observation is that people have not read it and so have carried what they think into the advise and decision they made. As usual, the problem of people not reading is what leads to many problems in Zambia as people depend on what their "people" advise them. Funny enough, this issue has even people I consider learned enough to read have avoided to read. So here are simple sources of the document in un-edited form. These can be accessed here: 01 (CSPR Zambia), 02 (PDF scanned document), 03 (ECZ Cartoon - Understanding Referendum.

I have avoided picking political party links as they look at the Referendum on the basis of what they want, not exactly what the people should consider.

I also should point out the interest people should take by looking at the old constitution and compare it with the Bill you will be voting for. 

Take note, the National Referendum is on Part III and Article 79. Part III is the famous Bill of Rights. The rights have been enhanced as more have been added compared to what was there. I should point out that "Gay Rights" have not been added as some people have been saying. Please ask them to point to where this is when they tell. Our interest at Kwacha Economics is the addition of the "Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights". This is a thing that every Zambia should take time to understand and they will be happy with this inclusion. 

The most interesting excuse given to vote "No" is because the constitution has added the "grade 12 clause" which has been promoted by some political parties. I may be incorrect, but I think from the Mvunga commission, there has been a call for this limitation on Members of Parliament (MPs). So I think this has been backed on this need. Our interest on this blog is simple, how do you entrust people to make the law without the basic education? What kind of laws would they make? These are issues we need to address before we look at the Grade 12 requirement. The issue of it being discriminatory is interesting as this is the basic job requirement for MP which we have tried to set for many years.

After reading the Bill I'm sure you will be like me - hoping for a "Yes" vote. After all, a "no" should have something higher than establishing improving on the rights of the people as it will be a rejection of these improvements and going back to the old Bill of Rights. That is the stand. I see no reason anyone would want to vote "No" unless the rights are aimed at being suppressed. 

You are free to engage me on this issue as to why a "no" is promoted.