The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed concern at what it has termed as premature campaigns being conducted by the opposition UPND and the ruling Patriotic Front ahead of the 2016 General election.
FODEP Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi says this is why his organization has been calling for the enforcement of the Electoral Code of conduct throughout the year and not just during the campaign period.
Mr. Chipenzi states that it is unfortunate that the two political parties are busy campaigning for 2016 polls acts which are disadvantageous to other political parties.
He says there is need therefore, for civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to be on the lookout and ensure public resources are not wasted during these premature campaigns.
Mr. Chipenzi states that this is another reason why the country should have a new constitution to regulate the conduct of political campaigns.
And Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) President Charles Milupi has charged that the resolution by Cabinet that the 2016 national budget should focus on completing projects currently underway will mean that only areas the PF thinks are their strongholds will benefit.
Mr. Milupi says infrastructure development is only being carried out in areas the PF consider to be their strongholds.
He states that there many areas in the country where there is totally no infrastructure development taking place.
Mr Milupi notes that with the Cabinet resolution, the 2016 budget will be more of a campaign budget to be used to attract more support for the ruling party and will not be based on doing what is right for the country.
Mr Milupi further states that the decision will also mean that the economy will continue to perform very badly and poverty levels will continue to be on the rise in the country.
But National Movement for Progress President Ng’andu Magande says the idea of completing infrastructure projects currently underway is welcome.
Mr. Magande says it makes sense to ensure that the projects that are currently undertaken are completed before embarking on new ones.
He however points out that this needs serious planning and not mere pronouncements
blame HH & GBM who are shaking making PF to be jerking off, and pimping their daughters in campaigns.
The PF started campaigning for the 2016 elections before Sata died; the UPND doesn’t want to be left behind.The new constitution should be very clear about when to start campaigns and election campaign financing by individuals and companies,(like in the U.S.A.).Foreigners should NOT finance campaigns.
I think the former ECZ Iron Lady was miles better than the new one. The lady would have put a stop to this but as usual the majority of men in authority doze in these offices.
We can’t have a country campaigning always. Even these so called by-elections should be done away with.
Comment:The only politocal party that we have seen campainin is upnd, so why not talk to them to stop these early noise making campains.
Legally there is nothing wrong in starting to campaign early. UPND are the ones who are campaigning
PF is already handing out transport to a chief in Kasama. That is corruption
Premature ejac – sorry – election campaigns are ok. Just remove those silly restrictions from your statutes so everyone can peddle their no.nsense.