HABASONDA SAYS CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEBATE SHOULD ADDRESS PRESIDENT’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
By Nelson Zulu
Political scientist and University of Zambia lecturer Dr. Lee Habasonda says the ongoing constitutional amendment debate should consider a law defining the official residence of a sitting Head of State.
Dr. Habasonda says proposed constitutional and policy reforms should address how the presidency is institutionalized while the Head of State is in office, including whether the sitting president should ordinarily reside at the official presidential residence.
He says the matter requires careful consideration of the practical implications before any legal requirement is introduced, recalling that Parliament previously debated the status of State House and the presidential residence.
Responding to a Phoenix News query, Dr. Habasonda says the constitutional reform process presents an opportunity to resolve existing uncertainties and establish clear rules on when a president may reside elsewhere, rather than relying on administrative practice or individual circumstances.
He adds that the broader constitutional reform debate should focus on creating predictable and accountable institutions by clearly defining the privileges, responsibilities, costs and institutional obligations associated with the presidency, both during and after a president’s tenure.
PHOENIX NEWS