The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to hold a meeting with political parties participating in the postponed Livingstone parliamentary by- election to make them understand reasons leading to the postponement.
SACCORD Information Officer, Obby Chibuluma, told ZANIS yesterday that there was need for the commission to meet political party leaders to explain the commissions’ reasons and terms attached to the postponement.
Mr Chibuluma stated that some political parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the deferring of the by- election and may not understand that everything will remain the same including the closing of campaigns.
He has since commended the ECZ for postponing the election, saying it is a good move as high political tension and malicious rumour-mongering had characterised the by- election.
He said the move will bring understanding among political parties and create a violence-free atmosphere for holding elections.
And Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director, McDonald Chipenzi, has joined other organisations in the country in commending the move by ECZ to reschedule the parliamentary by election in Livingstone.
Mr Chipenzi noted that the situation in Livingstone did not pose a political and electoral friendly atmosphere to hold elections.
He hoped that the move will help serve as a lesson to political parties and electoral stakeholders regarding breaching of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Mr Chipenzi said some political parties were disregarding the Electoral Code of Conduct with impunity and hoped that they have learnt that violence does not pay.
Meanwhile, Mr Chipenzi has implored political parties taking part in the Mpongwe by –election to remain calm and observe electoral laws as they await results.
Yesterday, the ECZ postponed the Livingstone parliamentary by-election slated for today, February 28, to March 14 after the campaigns were marred with violence leading to the loss of one life.
ZANIS
YOUNG MAN A SOUL HAS BEEN LOST. WHAT MORE DO THEY NEED EXPLAINED? HAVE ZAMBIANS LOST HUMANITY TO THAT LEVEL OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THE LOSS OF LIFE? WHAT IS BETTER THAN A HUMAN’S LIFE ANYWAY?
@Obby Chibuluma, what more explanation does the commission have to give to Political leaders? , Isnt that a waste of money for the commssion to book a hotel and assemble these political leaders,(Including Obby) , and also sitting allowances etc……, eish , I cant jst get it.
only one party and that is hs nt welcomed the move and tht is upnd and his killer leader hh. useless NGO’s who cn nt come out and condemn th upnd for the murder case they hv commited
Hmm. Politicians. The children are watching. Refer to code of conduct in the self explanatory notes you probably have and all feel ashamed you cannot teach the next generation to campaign peacefully and with no insults hurled. I guess the kids recognise patterns they see in the playground exhibited by adults and are smart enough to know either they become like you or they become something better in spite of you all.