The Foundations for Democratic process (FODEP) says the new government should ensure that the 50 percent plus one clause is enshrined in the new constitution.
FODEP executive Director McDonald Chipenzi told QFM that there is need for the country to have ambitious electoral reforms.
Mr. Chipenzi says this will enable the country to have leaders chosen by the majority of Zambians saying this is key in having stable governments that will be accepted by all.
And Mr. Chipenzi has also urged the opposition to take advantage of its majority representation in parliament and advocate for good and progressive laws.
The civil society leader notes that the previous government had taken advantage of its majority and saw to it that laws that were in its favor were enacted.
[QFM]
I doubt if PF will go it that way considering they are in power now.They now that will work against them in 2016.I am sure they will start backpeddling on most of there promises,power is so sweet.Guy Scott could not even wait to be sworn in before he started making orders at Cabinet office.
sata has a golden opportunity to make a name if only he can let go of the constitution, znbc, and some presidential powers.
pf, we are watching you, 79 more days to go. please deliver on your promises
The 51% benchmark is an unrealistic goal where you allow more than two parties to participate in the democratic process. Really. Just think about it. Most countries simply adopt the first past the post system because it is practical, it is an adequate enough measure of who has the greatest support in terms of aggregate votes.
As things stand, PF is better off with a 50 + 1 in place. I can foresee MMD and UPND forming a pact and that will spell trouble for PF in future elections. But if the 50 + 1 is in place and the PF is still popular come 2016, a rerun of presidential elections would go in Sata’s favour-but all that will depend on how he will perform. There is no running away from the 50 + 1 by the PF because it is one of those clauses they promised to include in the new constution (due in 90 days-wapya munzi, eeishii). PF running away from issues like this one will just make them unpopular, let them just face it and implement all what those cowards called mmd where too afraid of implementing.
Face reality, for your own information all eastern province would shift to PF and majority of all those MMDs would contest on PF in 2016 so UPND would still remain alone and finished.
This is where we differentiated talking and reality. It is another thing when you speak from outside government and also another once you are there. I wonder how much will be our new president’s salary .Levy (MHSRIP) made his own public and refuses further increaments. He was such a leader un matched. 90 days we are watching
Please Mr Chipezi yes 50 + 1 is good but think twice. In this country where voting patterns are by tribe this may spell doom for other tribes. In this, as an example, you will never rule this country. Some province’s population is too small for them to be supportrd to victory. In short North western, Western and I may include Sothern may find it hard to produce a preside for this country, think twice. Already someone has cried foul. What more 50 + 1 if his cattle and family can’t even be 20%. This is the hidden evil of 50+1 vote system but to a level headed person who doesn’t care about who wins’ tribe, it is very good. So its up to you. never cry foul later.
am sure RB is regretting not having he 50+1.. it would have probably have worked in is favour!!!!
50+1 does not make sense to me and other big thinkers. This system has its own problems that can just create chaos in a country like Zambia. Zimbabwe failed to reach conclusions over the so-called 50+1 nonsense.Â
By the way Mahtan has been given back his Finance Bank. I wonder if the president made any consultations as to what transpired at Finance Bank before he made this decision. Anyway it seems people are in a hurry to do almost everything within the 90 days time frame. I end here!
Western province is the only Province that did not vote on tribal lines and should be commended for such. other provinces such as Luapula and Southern and to some extent Northern have to learn from the way the people of western province voted.. there were voting for individuals to deliver and not based on tribal or political alignment. all people want was change and change is what they got. Bravo Westerners
50+1 should be included in our constitution eventhough it has it’s own disadvantages.E.g. the cost of the re-run;violence and intimidation among cadres which may lead to civil war.Advantages are that in case of a re-run Political parties can merge with other parties so as to win with a convincingly bigger margin.RB and MMD avoided it but it worked against them.PF learn from MMD.
our constitution is too weak to handle a strong character like sata. i totally blame kaunda, chiluba, mwanawasa and rb for not thinking beyond their bellies.
we want a new constitution now!!! PF promissed to give us a new and good constituion within 90 days!!!!
yes SATA promised 50 + 1 within 90 days. also recognition of barotse agreement within 90 days. Never you play with us lozis…we are counting days.
plus also we need a running mate during elections not appointed…
keep presure on pf for a 50%+1 let them implement what they pro.mised to do.My dear LOZI tribalist dont waste your time time on unproductive issues.there is nothing in MONGU and no other tribe will be subject any lozi chief
if 50+1 was implemented Sata could not be president today. I am sure he is happy to leave it that way. If 50+1 was in place HH and RB could have ganged up to beat Sata as they seem to be ganging up now for speaker of the national assembly. Am sure they will get it. I end here!