The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has appealed to republican president Michael Sata to appoint a referendum commission as outlined in the action plan for the technical committee on the drafting of the country’s constitution. FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says the move will give the referendum commission time to facilitate the printing of referendum materials, update voters register for the purpose of preparing and holding a national referendum. Mr. Chipenzi says the early setting up of the referendum commission will enable the commission to start consultations with the central statistical office on the 2010 national census results and make the necessary logistics for the smooth holding of the referendum. He tells QFM that in the same vain, the civil society and other stakeholders will be given enough time to mobilize resources and prepare people’s minds to participate in the referendum. Mr. Chipenzi says civic education on the constitutional making process is not only critical but also creates ownership of the process, which he says, is key in delivering a people driven document. And FODEP has proposed that the new constitution should guarantee and protect the tenure of the office of the Inspector General of Police in an effort to bring some level of independence and public confidence in the work of the police service. Mr. Chipenzi says the obtaining scenario where the IG is appointed by the president makes him vulnerable to public suspicion and mistrust on his neutrality and professionalism, especially when some police investigations are prompted by direct orders from the executive.

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FODEP tips Sata on road map for new constitution

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