CLERK of the National Assembly Cecilia Mbewe says the Constitution Amendment Bill Number 10 of 2019 will be resuscitated and restored to the Order Paper in the next parliamentary session which resumes on September 18, 2020.

In a brief interview, Mbewe said like any other Bill that lapsed due to the abrupt adjournment of Parliament, Bill 10 was no exception.

When asked if Bill 10 would be tabled in parliament, she responded in the affirmative.

“Yes, like all other Bills that lapsed due to the abrupt adjournment of Parliament, Bill 10 will be resuscitated and restored to the Order Paper in accordance with Standing Order Number 126 of the Standing Orders of the House,” said Mbewe.

Parliament adjourned sine die on July 21, 2020, ahead of schedule due to escalating cases of COVID-19 at the time, which saw 15 members of parliament and 11 staff of the National Assembly testing positive to the novel Coronavirus.

And on July 23, 2020, justice minister Given Lubinda had clearly indicated that Bill 10 would return to Parliament, whether opposers liked it or not.

“Standing Orders of parliament do not provide that no, because Parliament has been adjourned, therefore, the business of the House has been killed, no. Whether they like it or not, when Parliament resumes, whatever was on the Order Paper and whatever should be brought to Parliament shall be brought. Whatever was on the Order Paper the time of Parliament adjournment will be brought back on the Order Paper when Parliament resumes,” Lubinda had said.