On 10 June 2026, President Hakainde Hichilema declined to assent to the Public Gatherings Bill and returned it to Parliament for reconsideration, citing inconsistencies with constitutional provisions and judicial precedents. The decision was communicated through a State House press release, which emphasized the need for the legislation to fully align with the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
The Public Gatherings Bill had been passed by Parliament in May 2026 and was intended to repeal and replace the Public Order Act of 1955. While government officials argued that the proposed law sought to modernize the legal framework governing public assemblies and public order management, civil society organisations, opposition political parties, and human rights advocates raised concerns that several provisions could restrict the exercise of freedoms of assembly, expression, and association.