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[[Zambian constitutional referendum, 1969 |1969 ]] ←

A '''constitutional referendum''' will be held in Zambia on 11 August 2016 alongside [[Zambian general election, 2016|general elections]], a move designed to reduce the cost of the referendum. <ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/03/16/government-to-hold-referendum-along-side-the-2016-general-elections/ Zambia : Government to hold Referendum along side the 2016 General Elections] Lusaka Times </ref><ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/06/01/delayed-release-proposed-bill-rights-ploy-pf/ Zambia : Delayed release of proposed Bill of Rights a ploy by PF government] Lusaka Times </ref> Voters will be asked whether
they approve of proposed amendments to the bill of rights and Article 79, which dictates the process of future amendments.

==Background==
The referendum seeks to amend and enhance the Bill of rights; and, repeal and replace Article 79. Under
the Bill of rights changes is the amendment of the
"Civil and Political Rights", plus the addition of: "Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Right" section; and "Further and Special Rights" section.  The gazetted referendum question is <ref>[https://www.elections.org.zm/referendum_question.php Referendum Question: The Bill of Rights :: Electoral Commission of Zambia Electora] Commission of Zambia. access date 2016-06-15</ref> :  
''Do you agree to the amendment to the Constitution to enhance the Bill of rights contained in Part III of the Constitution of Zambia and to repeal and replace Article 79 of the Constitution of Zambia?''

==Electoral System==
For the referendum to pass, a majority 'yes' vote is required together with a turnout of at least 50% of the eligible voters. The Central Statistics Office of Zambia states that there are 7 million eligible voters in the country, which would mean over 3.5 million voters would have to participate to validate a 'yes' vote. In past general elections voter turnout has been poor and experts fear that due to different eligibility requirements of the general elections, the referendum will create confusion and be a waste of resources.<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/05/31/referendum-issue-president-dissolved-cabinet-got-wrong/ Zambia : The Referendum Issue: Why the President and his Dissolved Cabinet Got it Wrong!]</ref>

==Voting and Redults==
With a high voter turnout in the [[Zambian general election, 2016 | 2016 general elections]] there was little or no interest in people volting in the referendum.
===Results===

==See also==
*[[Zambian general election, 2016]]

==References==
{{reflist}}



[[Category:2016 referendums]]
[[Category:2016 in Zambia]]
[[Category:Referendums in Zambia|2016]]
[[Category:Constitutional referendums]]