Youth groups petition Parliament to scrap presidential term limits and the Grade 12 rule

A group of youth organisations has petitioned Parliament to abolish presidential term limits and to scrap the Grade 12 certificate requirement for anyone standing as a Member of Parliament or a councillor. The Zambia Youth Organisation Consortium handed the petition to nominated Member of Parliament Francis Kope, asking that it be brought to the National Assembly as a private member's motion. The consortium brings together Youth for Dialogue, the Youth Development Network, Ambia Young Women, the Different Abled Youths Association and Arise and Soar Zambia. Consortium chairperson Jacob Longwe said term limits restrict the freedom of citizens to keep voting for the leaders they prefer. He said young people feel "the presidential term limits are not suitable in the current democratic dispensation". On the school certificate, he said the rule shuts out people who have leadership qualities but lack the qualification. Mr Kope said he would personally start the process of having the petition presented to the National Assembly, and that young people have a right to contribute to debates on democratic and electoral processes. Itezhi-tezhi West MP Twaambo Mutinta said presenting the motion would allow lawmakers to debate the issues before any decision is taken. Kaumbwe MP Charles Tembo was also present at the handover. ## The Grade 12 rule The school certificate requirement has been contested since it was introduced, because it bars a large number of Zambians from standing for office. Many adults left school before completing Grade 12, or sat the exams without passing them, and in rural areas that group includes people who already lead their communities. Court challenges and appeals for the rule to be relaxed have come up at every election since it took effect. ## Two petitions pulling in opposite directions The term limit half of the petition lands in the middle of an argument that is already running. Earlier this week the Attorney General said it was too early to say