Youths from various political parties in Kitwe have called on political parties to include at least two youths on their list of delegates to sit on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).
The youths charged that they should not be left out as they are key stakeholders in
the constitution making process.
Youths from the Ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) , United Nation
Independence Democracy (UNIP), United Party for National Development (UPND) and
Patriotic Front (PF) made the recommendation at the end of the Anti Voter Apathy
Project (AVAP) Workshop held in Kitwe today.
Youths have under the NCC composition been given a provision to nominate two
representatives of youth organisation registered under the national youth council
Act.
The youths further called on the political parties not to use youths as tools of
violence in the Nchanga by -elections slatted for Thursday this week.
AVAP Executive Director Bonnie Tembo disclosed to ZANIS that youths further urged
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to localise the printing of ballot papers to
avoid huge costs.
The ballot papers for the Nchanga by- election are being printed in South Africa.
On the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), the youths said the guidelines should be
simplified so that many youths can apply for the funds adding that the fund should
be de-politicised.
Speaking at the official closing of the workshop, Kitwe Town Clerk Ali SimwingaÂÂ
challenged the youths to be focused and have a vision so as to help in strengthening
their political parties.
He also commended AVAP for contributing to the development of leadership in the
country.
