ZAMBIAN Catholic bishops have called for a new constitution and a new electoral Act before the 2006 elections.
And the bishops have warned that the current political tension in the country has the potential to degenerate into political strife with grave consequences.
Meanwhile, the 11 bishops have expressed shock at the 72 per cent slashing of funding to grant-aided high schools countrywide in this year's budget.
In a statement after a plenary meeting yesterday, the bishops expressed concern that the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) process has stalled.
The bishops said a new constitution could not be ready by 2006 if political will was absent.
"We strongly urge that an all inclusive mechanism to scrutinise and adopt the CRC report be put in place immediately. We further urge that the processes and necessary legislation that will facilitate the review of Part Three of the Constitution or Bill of Rights also be initiated immediately," they suggested.
They also urged government to genuinely and meaningfully engage stakeholders on the issue and that it was regrettable that opportunities had been lost in the past.
The bishops said there was an urgent need for dialogue, which needed to focus on efforts that would produce tangible results that would make a difference in the CRC.
The bishops noted that from past experiences on constitution-making, Zambians were agreed on many issues in content of the constitution.
"The problem has been that of process. We have now come to the conclusion that it is process that protects content," they stated.
"Unless the process is correct, a constitution that is owned by the people will continue to be elusive."
And the bishops have said the church is concerned at the slow pace of electoral reforms.
They said despite pronouncements by government that electoral reforms were a priority, implementation of the Electoral Reforms Technical Committee (ERTC) had not seen the light of day.
The bishops said they were also aware that most innovative and contentious proposals for electoral reforms hinged on the constitution.
"The recent announcements by the Minister of Justice that those electoral reform proposals that hinge on the constitution will be passed on to the CRC causes more concern if government still sticks to its position that the CRC work will be concluded only in 2008," the bishops stated.
"What this means is that the electoral reforms will be partially done, dealing only with the electoral Act and regulations while the rest will have to wait for the Constitution Review Process to be concluded.
"It is for this reason that we urge a synchronisation of the two processes, with both processes ending before the 2006 elections."
The bishops added that if the country went to the general and presidential elections with the current constitution, political tensions could be worsened.
"Petitions will continue to flood the courts and the chief justice will remain the returning officer thereby creating the current distressing situation where he will then be required to hear the case in court if there is a petition," he said.
Added to this, the bishops observed that excessive powers of the president would remain intact.
The bishops on the other hand said if the country went to the polls with partial amendments such as providing for the 50 per cent plus one vote, there would be a danger of allowing the new president to take office with a clear mandate of 50 plus one but with excessive power.
"Whoever wins the next presidential election with these powers could easily manipulate the constitutional process to suit his or her whims especially with the current Inquiries Act in place."
"Social and economic rights will remain untouched and women will continue to be grossly disadvantaged and discriminated against."
And the bishops stated that the church was greatly concerned by the political tension in the country.
"As church leaders we are concerned by the endemic political tension that has become characteristic of our country. We are witnessing wrangles within and across political parties mainly based on power struggles between factions," they said.
"It is our view that this state of affairs is not healthy for our country and has the potential to degenerate into civil strife with grave consequences."
The Bishops advised that there was need for various political parties to show maturity and statesmanship in dealing with conflicts in the country.
"The general membership in political groupings is looking for credible leadership and they surely deserve better. It is sad that more than a decade after reverting to multiparty politics, we are yet to see stable and policy-driven political parties to which Zambians can look up to," the bishops observed.
They urged all men and women in Zambia not to allow themselves to be manipulated by unscrupulous leaders.
The bishops observed that it was a great source of worry that the ruling party and the opposition continued to be in constant conflict.
They stated that with upcoming elections in 2006, there was a great need for tolerance and mutual respect between political parties to resolve contentious issues.
Meanwhile, the bishops have said the church was dismayed and shocked that the Estimates and Expenditure 2005 funding to grant aided schools had been slashed by 72 per cent compared to what was approved in 2004.
They said the drastic reduction is totally unacceptable, as this would discriminate against pupils enrolled in these schools.
"In practical terms, the current allocation means that our grant-aided schools will receive K200 per day to feed a pupil in boarding and K34 per day for a day school pupil. This is unattainable and totally unrealistic. Which parent would dream of trying to feed a child on K200 a day?" they asked.
The bishops said it was discrimination as government high schools had an increased allocation.
They stated the reduction would also mean that time spent by children at school would be reduced per term.
They demanded government's immediate review of the current allocation to make it equitable with government high schools.
They advised that Zambian children should not be penalised for being selected to a grant-aided school.
"Government should not be seen as to be discriminating against its own citizens, this is an injustice that needs to be urgently addressed," the bishops stated.
In attendance at the meeting were Zambia Episcopal Conference president and Bishop of Mpika Telesphore Mpundu, Archbishop of Lusaka Medardo Mazombwe, Bishop of Ndola Noel O'Regan, Archbishop of Kasama James Spaita and Bishop of Livingstone Raymond Mpezele.
Also in attendance were Bishop of Mansa Aaron Chisha, Bishop of Mongu Paul Duffy, Bishop of Monze Emilio Patriarca, Bishop of Chipata George Lungu, Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka Adam Kozlowiecki and Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka Adrian Mang'andu.