The Young African Leadership Initiative has advised the Electoral Commission of Zambia to quickly communicate to the public and political parties that the amended Constitution does not require political parties to sponsor candidates for the election of councillors.
YALI Governance Adviser Isaac Mwanza said the ECZ should inform political parties that no adoption certificate will be required for persons wanting to stand as councillors.
In a statement, Mr Mwanza said, “YALI would like to confirm that we wrote the Electoral Commission to bring this matter to their attention and it will be prudent for both the Commission and the Attorney General to help quickly guide the nation on the status of councillors in the new Constitution.”
“According to Article 60 of the Zambian Constitution, political parties have a right to sponsor candidates for election or nomination to a State office and councillors are not State Officers,” Mr Mwanza.
He said the ECZ must also bring awareness that councillors cannot be removed from office because of being expelled from any political grouping they may belong to because they will not have been elected on partisan line.
“The Commission must thus come out clear than wait for the last minute to inform the nation and political parties about these constitutional changes which compel the Commission to avoid putting symbols of political parties on ballot papers for election of councillors in the 2016 elections,” Mr Mwanza said.
Oh, you think so? Really?
Do it fast.
Bushe the lawyers at LAZ especially the A.G and S.G,are they normal? Why is it taking YALI to identify these gaps and shortcomings in the new constitution????It just goes to confirm that we don’t read in this country and our “Learned” counsels are no exception.
Lots of thanks to YALI as theirs is indeed a noble duty!
ok
okay, this is not funny any more. Does the ECZ have competent lawyers or competent communication specialists? and LAZ, what on earth are you there for. or have you cloned YALI to be the new LAZ? Mr LAZ chairman sir, I need your serious ruling on this matter
Ala pipo in Zambia don’t read.These lawyers are dull.I think Yali is doing a great job compared to these lawyers and political parties.Yali has educated pipo.continue.
2016Vote PF otherwise HH will sell Zambia to foreigners the way he sold mines.He has failed to account for his money.We need a nationalist not somebody who gonna sell Zambia.2016 pabwatooooo
@Moscow(OP) you are such a shallow mind with upside down brains
@ Moscow(OP) it is your duty if you don’t want to let go off how HH made his money than continuing exposing ignorance on a matter which even MCS failed to make headway on! The PF would relish any evidence to have HH arraigned before courts of law as it would give PF relief from fear of a highly contested election. Otherwise you are better off to remain silent and comfortable in your Donald Trump country and leave our Zambian brothers and sisters to their more pressing worries and concerns.
AM SHOCKED BY HOW LAZ KEEPS QUIET ON SUCH MATTERS. YALI IS DOING A GOOD JOB AND AM EXCITED. AG MUST COME OUT CLEAR ON THIS MATTER
I totally agree with YALI. I have now read provisions on councillors and the same article 60. Seems YALI are a genius and have very good legal advisors than ECZ. This has been the cry of Zambians that the Councillors are not politicised on party line and am glad the Constitution framers included this type of thinking
YALI makes sense after reading through the Constitution. Lawyers have failed us but YALI is doing its best
THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO EMBRACE YALI IN GOVERNANCE PROCESSES. WISH THEY CAN BE JOINED TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE THROUGH AM IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION. YALI MAKES LOTS OF SENSE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Even Mr ECL was not aware of this although the other day he was boasting that he read the constitution.
Good job YALI. Please continue informing the people.
THE REALITY HAS NOW DAWNED WHICH WILL CHANGE ZAMBIA’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE FOR THE BETTER. FOR A LONG TIME I THOT COUNCILLORS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PARTISAN. THANK YOU PRESIDENT LUNGU FOR SUCH A BOLD DECISION IN SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION INTO LAW
I think LAZ took a “walk out” role in the constitution making process! Surely? Anyway, more issues are yet to be unearthed!
Our lawyers today are…….kaya!
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS AN OBLIGATION TO INFORM THE COUNTRY AT LARGE ON THESE MATTERS.MR KALALUKA SC KINDLY START EDUCATING THE PEOPLE ON THESE MATTERS.
AM ON MY KNEES ALWAYS PRAYING FOR ZAMBIA……