The Vision Network Foundation in Luapula Province has called for the extension of the Presidential Petition hearing period from 14 to 21 days.
Vision Network Foundation Executive Director, Bishop Maxwell Luchile, observed that extending the hearing period would give both parties sufficient time to present their cases.
Speaking when he made submissions on behalf of his organization to the ongoing Technical Committee sitting in Luapula Province, Bishop Luchile proposed that the 21-day period should exclude weekends and public holidays.
He further recommended that the 21-day timeframe should also apply to all elective positions, including Members of Parliament and councillors.
Bishop Luchile also proposed that all election petition hearings be broadcast live to allow the general public to follow the proceedings.
On the matter of candidates who resign after filing their nominations, Bishop Luchile said elections should proceed unless the withdrawal is due to the death of a candidate.
He noted that no individual should be allowed to disrupt an election for personal gain.
“In the case of the death of a candidate, other candidates who had already filed their nominations should not be subjected to fresh nominations apart from the political party involved,” he stated.
The Bishop also suggested that Members of Parliament should be limited to serving two terms to allow others the opportunity to serve.
Meanwhile, the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Luapula Province has submitted that all elective positions, apart from that of the President, should be tied to political parties to eliminate the need for by-elections.
Luapula Province UPND Chairperson, Alfred Mwape, said by-elections are costly to the nation and should be avoided by allowing the political party that won the seat to nominate another candidate in the event of death.
Mr. Mwape further stated that by-elections have often been a source of political violence, hence the need to abolish them.
“On delimitation, we are of the view that it should proceed, especially for large constituencies in the country such as Bahati and Mansa,” he said.
The Technical Committee sittings in Luapula have today entered Day 3, with the exercise expected to conclude tomorrow.
