The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has revised the nomination fees for Presidential and Parliamentary aspiring candidates for the August, 11, 2016 general elections.
The ECZ has also for the second time revised the nomination fees for aspiring Mayors, Council Chairpersons for municipalities and Councillors.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that the decision to make the final revision of nomination fees was arrived at following concerns from stakeholders.
Mr. Akufuna said aspiring candidates for Presidential and the National Assembly will now pay K60, 000.00 and K7, 500.00 respectively from the previous K75, 000.00 and K10, 000.00 respectively.
He said aspiring Mayors and Council Chairpersons will now be required to pay K5,000.00 and K2,000.00 from the previous K7, 500.00 and K3, 500.00 respectively.
Candidates aspiring for the positions of City and Municipal Councilors will now pay K750.00 from the previous K1, 500.00 while aspiring Councilors for district councils will now pay K400.00 from the previous K750.00.
Mr. Akufuna said the commission will make arrangements to refund the difference to political parties that have already paid the nomination fees in full.
Meanwhile, 10 political parties have successfully paid their presidential nomination fees either in full or partly in readiness for the August 11 general elections.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Esau Chulu announced at a stakeholders’ meeting for aspiring presidential candidates attended by President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka yesterday that out of the 10, only two had paid the nomination fees in full.
He named the two political parties as the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
“The other eight political parties have paid 50 per cent of the nominations fees and these are Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Green Party, Democratic Assembly, People’s Alliance for Change, United National Independence Party, United Progressive People, Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), and Rainbow Party,” he said.
Mr Justice Chulu said the pre-processing of the supporters for the aspiring presidential candidates took place from Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, 2016.
He said all was set for the commencement of the filing in of nominations tomorrow.
“I would like to say from the onset that even though some of you may be familiar with the nominations process, it is still important that they are reminded of what is expected of you on that day,” he said.
Mr Justice Chulu reminded the nominees that they would be required to fill in the appropriate documentation which includes nomination papers, statutory declaration of assets, and proof of full payments of a non–refundable nomination fee, among other requirements.
He called on the political party leaders to advise their members to ensure that they abide by the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct and other laws.
And PF secretary general Davies Chama said the ruling party was happy that all the requirements outlined by the ECZ were within what the ruling party had planned.
He said the PF was ready in all aspects including the announcing of the presidential running mate which he said was still a puzzle for other political parties.
“We are satisfied and I can assure you that we are going into this election fully prepared and we are winning it in the very first round,” he said.
FDD leader Edith Nawakwi complained of high nomination fees for presidential and parliamentary candidates stating that it was a deliberate move by the Government to disadvantage other parties like hers.
She appealed to the ECZ to reconsider changing the nomination dates if possible to allow some changes in the nomination fees.
Monday 15th August, 2016
Breaking News
Opposition UPND Vice President GBM has called for an emergency national convention to replace losing presidential candidate and now UPND cadre, Hakainde Hichilema (HH).
Vying for the UPND presidency are several failed politicians including: Vernon Mwaanga, Gabriel Namulambe, Miles Sata, Mulenga Sampa, GBM, Guy Scott, Nevers Mumba, Obvious Mwaliteta, William Tekere Banda, Edward Mumbi, Bob Sichinga, Lupando Mwape, George Mpombo, Sylvia Masebo and Situmbeko Musokotwane.
Ecclesiast 10:17 A land is blessed when its leader don’t drink alcohol but with Edgar chakolwa kaloba wrungu he thinks better when he takes Jameson so their is nothing like global its just that we are a cursed nation because of the 2016 most incompetent and idio.tic president of the millennium drinking habits.
Doesn’t make any difference. We know ECZ is raising pension for Esau Chulu and Priscilla Isaacs.
ECZ are REALLY FOO..LISH!! They now CLAIM TO BE LISTENING TO STAKEHOLDERS ON AN ISSUE THEY SHOULDN’T BACK DOWN ON – People vying for office SHOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE FUNDS BACKED BY THEIR SUPPORTERS – ELECTIONS SRE NOT CHEAP, THEREFORE CANDIDATES & SHOULD SHOULDER SOME OF THE EXPENSE!!!
However ECZ SHOULD NOWWWWW LISTEN TO STAKEHOLDERS, IN THAT BALLOTS SHOULD NOT BE PRINTED IN DUBAI!!! ECZ SHOULD BE PATRIOTIC THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTING GOVT PRINTERS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEY HAVE CAPACITY, EVEN THOUGH SLIGHTLY EXPENSIVE, THE MONEY WILL STAY IN ZAMBIA FOR THE BENEFIT OF ZAMBIAN TAX PAYERS – not just brown envelopes for Isaacs & Esau Chulu!!!
Vote wisely 11/8/2016!! VOTE ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!! Abantu baya!!
#chagwamustfall!! PamaFIkuyabebele!!
Zambian’s 0n 11/8/2016 make sure you…
…..sure you defend your polling stations from thieves trying to steal our vote – MAKE SURE VOTES ARE COUNTED AT POLLING STATIONS before the ballot boxes are removed!! FORM A HUMAN CHAIN – make sure Gen “Chisense” & his helicopters have no access!!
DIE FOR MOTHER ZAMBIA – THIEVES SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED – PamaFikuyabebele!!
I thank you!!
@Kudos: This mother fuc.ker is wapped up and suffers from Diarrhoea each time he thinks of HH. Worse is coming to you on 12/08/2016 when that clueless pri.k Chegwe Lungula losses!
We are really third world indeed. These elections were in known five years (& we have been conducting elections for 50 yrs) yet we are still haphazard in our planning. Why revise fees 2 days before nominations when potential candidates have already given up.
Indeed the PF & ECZ don’t know what they are doing. They will reduce again those unjustified election fees.
In Zambia, we have a bunch of idi.ots running state institutions. To begin with ECZ should have consulted all stakeholders before making the announcement on revised nomination fees. unfortunately idio.ts like chris akufuna who want to claim to be election experts want to make announcements before consulting or due diligence. Honestly can someone claim to be an election expert after rigging ZAMBIAN elections? It’s a fallacy!
Nice one
That was a calculated move by ECZ to favour PF. Many small parties, like that of Dan Pule and others, were threatened by the huge Presidential nomination fees into endorsing ECL.
ECL has ECLipsed the light of democratic good governance by meddling in state institutions.
JEALOUS KUDOS EVN THE DEVIL KNOWS
Under the leadership of the 2016 most incompetent and idio.tic president Edgar chakolwa kaloba wrungu all government institutions has became clueless,today they say its this tomorrow after drinking Jameson they change. What a bunch of Idi.ots?
Bitterness will never put your HH the one you worship in State house and that’s a fact of life because you are blinded by your insults…
Tongas are full of insults. What kind of demons do you have kanshi?
What is the objective of this money. I even heard on radio Phoenix citizens debating with others saying the amount charged as nomination fees is high with others saying it’s low. You can’t know wether it is high or low until you know the objective of the nomination fees. After all elections are budgeted for by the government, so why should electoral commission extort money from unsuspecting candidates. One ignorant caller even said, the fees must be too high because elections is serious business, what kind of reasoning is that
Lutuku presdo you are a fool. Just shut up if you have no comments on this matter instead of insulting
U think calling a president ***** is wat will win your hh votes…? Learn to give respect to your leaders..!
Respect yourself and other will do.
It’s a very uncouth way to do politics. We must respect the institution of presidency in a democracy.
Respect comes with DEEDS – If Chakolwa wrungu wanted any respect, HE WOULD HAVE MADE sure the THUGS THAT UNDRESSED THAT YOUNG GIRL WERE BROUGHT TO BOOK ALONG TIME AGO; HE WOULD HAVE MADE SURE UNCOUTH THUGS such as the ones he drinks with DID NOT INVADE THE RUNWAY OF AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT!!! etc etc , THE LIST IS TOOOOO LOOONG to detail….
#chagwamustfall!! PamaFikuyabebele!!
Vote wisely11/8/2016!! Vote ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!! Abantu baya!!
I thank you!!
iwe an idio.t is an idio.t. It doesnt matter what position they hold
Lungu and his Ruining Mate are confident of winning the elections first round becoz of the rigging mechanism that they have put in place using ECZ and other state apparatus. To successfully rig these elections Lungu has illegally kept Ministers in their posts after Parliament was dissolved to help him accomplish the rigging tasks ahead. The extra and pre-marked ballots have already been printed, voters disenfranchised, ZAF ready to switch the ballots on the plane, foreigners are ready to come and vote for Lungu,Vote Counting and Tabulation already rigged and what remains is to announce the results on 12th August 2016 and thereafter quickly swear himself and his Ministers who are already in their post, in office. Life is good for ECL and PF. Time will tell!
THEN WHY DO YOU STILL PUSH FORWARD CAMPAIGNING IF YOU HAVE EVIDENCE TO THIS? JUST LEAVE THEM RULE THEN!!
Elections are not only budgeted for but also heavily funded by the donors especially the British government. So what is this high nomination fees for? Just reaping where you did not sow, I agree it is extortion of the highest order. It could also be a systematic way of eliminating competitors
The topic here is nomination fees. Let’s see your intellectual debate, not what you are writing.LT, May be you need to introduce a grade 12 qualification for people to blog,it appears others don’t even understand the topic and just post anything.
Chakanga Zulu bloggers are commenting on the statement by Davies Chama that PF is winning these elections in the very first round. People are saying ECL and PF are not campaigning and yet are confident of winning these elections. With ballots being printed by their Dubai Printer and all the rigging mechanisms in place ECL and PF are confident that they have already won according to Davies Chama, PF spokesperson. Bloggers are anxiously waiting to see how PF will rig these elections. ECL and PF run the danger of political unrest and making Zambia ungovernable. The likes of IMF will not give their money if the elections are disputed. It is in Lungu’s interests that these 2016 elections be declared free,fair and credible to get financial help from lenders and donors given the state of the…
To UPND cadres: “In an on going legal case in the US, a Us Attorney argues that Mr Trump’s pursuit of the presidency made his business practices (including the eay he acquired his wealth) a matter of legitimate public interest.”
That should answer some comments from UPND leaders and cadres too.
This opposition is scared of anything. Are these guys really ready. Ministers remaining in office is an issue, ballots being printed in Dubai is an issue,let’s print them in Mtenguleni pela, nomination fees is an issue, ka Nawakwi nako, mufuna chani, but anyway with my tail between my legs, HH momentum has gained speed like wildfire country wide , let me just confess
If you have the support I dont see how nomination fee can be a problem..instead of tackling the issue of printing in Dubai you talking irrelevant issues.
Chishimba tell us why PF is doing illegal and wrong things? For years once Parliament is dissolved there are no MPs, Ministers and Deputy Ministers but Lungu has kept them illegally in their posts,stakeholders say lets have ballots printed in RSA at a cost of $1.6m and PF insists ballot should be printed in Dubai at a cost of $3.6m, stakeholders say lets have a referendum for the Constitution PF rejects that and amends the Constitution unilaterally and create lacunas, PF are advised not to borrow excessively and expensively but they dont listen etc. Yes Chishimba why is PF always wrong but do not learn from their past mistakes? We are also wondering why ECL and PF can’t get these things right?
Maybe that’s how much it costs in Dubai $1.5m the rest is being pocketed…this is what Tanzanian President is trying to get rid of corruption. Its is an expensive commodity!!
Lungu cicolor chawishi doesn’t deserve respect from the great people of this nation! Respect is earned! Don’t force people to respect a visionless drunkard without a plan. At least ichikashi nangu cipekuke imyona chali ichindikako.
@12, why do you even make comments if you are that ignorant? Cant you just keep quite even for a momemt? Are you mot aware that constitutiom has been amended? Even if it was mot maybe people were legally ignorant. Lungu is a sharp lawyer. He is way beyond any UPND leader or lawyer.
ECZ news and then comment from Davies Chama. When are they revising where to print the ballot papers since the nomination fees have been reduced. The income has been reduced and why not reduce the expenditure by printing in RSA.
Ba ECZ. You have just revised the nomination fees so that you can blind fold us .Fees cannot affect the outcome of the results. Losers are losers even if the nomination fees is brought down to 2o thousand for presidential candidates. BA ECZ can you revise the place where ballot papers will be printed from.Dubai is going to advantage Lungu because he will be able to send thousands of his supoters there to minitor the printing using government resources. It will be expensive for Oposition to send monitors. They may even be threatened there by PF cadres. Results will be compromised. Maintain the nomination fees and revie the place where printing of ballot papers will be done.
Only a **** can trust an Arab especially in his country!!
FDD, UNIP, GREEN PARTY AND THE LIKE ARE SURELY A Waste OF SPACE AND TIME
AT BEST THEY ARE NOISE MAKERS AND MOST TIMES JUST IRRITATE LIKE FLIES.
Breaking news Ladies and Gentlemen what a time which has happen. HH has endorses president Edgar.C. Lungu, in a statement he said on behalf of his entire party he said Iam toooooooo far to challenge Lungu and become president of Zambia let this great man continue to bring developmental and growth to our country. I have nooo vision were I can start to improve human lives.
Non refundable nomination fee… tell Nevers Mumba… Viva ECL VIVA PF for life….
Very disappointing development from ECZ. This shows a clear lack of planning and good leadership in this organization. They should have thought through this process well in advance, consult and come up with resolute decisions. This flip flopping makes our country and our electoral process look bad. What really is wrong with us Zambians. Who is in charge of such decisions? Seriously speaking had it been me making such back and forth decisions, I would have resigned to give way to other capable people to do a job for the benefit of the country. Posterity will certainly judge you harshly. Its time to be serious and focus on real national building based on a credible philosophy.