FODEP elections monitors demand payment

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Election monitors during October 15 Kasama Central by-election have complained of non-payment of their allowances.

This came to light when the irate monitors stormed ZANIS offices in Kasama today to register their displeasure over the matter.

One of the aggrieved, Jean Mulolwa charged that from the time the Kasama Central by-election was held, FODEP has done little in fulfilling its promise of paying the hired staff their dues.

Mrs. Mulolwa said it was disappointing for a big organization like FODEP to fail to pay its election monitors despite them doing their job.

She urged FODEP to emulate Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) in paying hired personnel immediately after an election was conducted.

Mrs. Mulolwa lamented that the allowances that were due to the election monitors were merger and wondered why the organization was reluctant to pay to the affected people.

She said it was unfair for FODEP to engage people as monitors for an election and later fail to pay their dues.

Mrs. Mulolwa warned that if the trend continued people would be discouraged from participating in monitoring future elections on behalf of the organization.

And when reached for a comment, FODEP Kasama District chairman Milton Mwanabamba confirmed that his organization has not yet paid the election monitors who took part in the Kasama Central by-election.

Mr. Mwanabamba revealed that the 14 FODEP monitors are owed K1.9 million in unpaid allowances while a further K1.8 million is owed to a local transporter who provided a service during the by-election.

He said he was currently unable to move freely in the streets due to fear of being beaten by the aggrieved election monitors who are crying for money from him.

Mr. Mwanabamba has since appealed to FODEP national leadership to quickly disburse the election funds so that the affected monitors could be paid their dues without any further delay.

ZANIS