Thousands of Zambians took to the streets Tuesday in a peaceful rally organized by opposition group the Oasis Forum, demanding that the country's new constitution be adopted by a constituent assembly instead of by the parliament as proposed by the government.

The demonstrators, estimated to be around 300,000 by the organizers, first assembled at the Mulungushi International Conference Center and then marched to the National Assembly, which resumed its sitting Tuesday.

They were stopped by armed police at the entrance, where copies of petitions were presented to legislators.

Receiving the petition from the demonstrators, opposition legislator Given Lubinda pledged to present a motion in the parliament reflecting people's voice and will.

"We are here to demand a constituent assembly to adopt our constitution before 2006 so that we can begin on the road to reconstruction and progress," Japhet Ndhlovu, chairperson of the Oasis Forum, told the crowd.

He said the lawmakers should prove that they are the people's representative by debating and enacting the constituent assembly bill that will provide a mechanism for adopting the constitution through a constituent assembly.

The petition also demands that the constituent assembly be constituted within 30 days of the constituent assembly act being passed and that the new constitution be adopted before the 2006 general elections.

Former Zambian vice-president Nevers Mumba, leaders of major opposition parties, churches, trade unions and students from the University of Zambia took part in the demonstration that ended peacefully at around 14:30 (1230GMT).

Demonstrations were also held in Livingstone and other major cities, according to reports by the official Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).

As elections approached, the constitution review process started in 2003 has become a major battle field between government and opposition groups.

The government of President Levy Mwanawasa has maintained that the new constitution will not be ready before the elections and that it could only be adopted by the parliament because a constituent assembly will be too costly for Zambia, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Source: Xinhua