We Won’t Borrow Funds For Referendum – Simbyakula

GOVERNMENT will not borrow money for funding a national referendum as proposed by a coalition of civil society organisations advocating a speedy review of the constitution.
Last week, the Grand Coalition implored Government to consider borrowing money for the national referendum so that it can be held before the 2016 general elections.
But Minister of Justice Ngosa Simbyakula said in an interview yesterday that it would be unreasonable for Government to borrow money for a referendum as it has pressing national issues to attend to.
“We will not borrow money for the referendum as suggested by some civil society organisations,” Dr Simbyakula said.
And Dr Simbyakula said Government has made progress towards the publication of the constitution of Zambia draft bill.
The minister said Government will keep the nation informed on publication of the document.
“This is just the beginning of the week, we will keep you posted on the matter as the week unfolds,” he said.
Last week, Dr Simbyakula announced during a press briefing that Government will publish the constitution of Zambia draft bill.
He said the publication will include non-contentious issues in the final draft constitution.
Government has tabled the Referendum Bill in Parliament.
The bill seeks to amend the Referendum Act of 1967 to bring it in conformity with the constitution on the eligibility criterion for voting in national referendums.