THE Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) has recommended that the 2011 general elections must be contested under a new constitution.
In a communiqué released after the first National Inter-Party Consultative Forum under the theme ‘Working Together Towards 2011’ at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, the members said every effort must be made to ensure that the elections are held under the new constitution being framed through the National Constitutional Conference.
“Continuous engagement over this matter was therefore encouraged,” reads part of the statement signed by ZCID spokesperson Langtone Sichone.
The members also said that the continuous voter registration must be done in a transparent, predictable and widely publicised manner.
On a summit for party presidents, it was resolved that all parties revert to their principals to revisit the necessity and the agenda given the political dynamics that have so far occurred in the country.
The objective of the forum was to introduce national executive members to the ZCID framework, and to discuss urgent matters of national interest that will ensure that the 2011 elections are contested on a fair and levelled playing field.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), Forum for Democracy and Development, UNIP, National Democratic Focus and the Forum for Political Parties.
Meanwhile, ZCID board chairperson Njekwa Anamela has said violence between political parties during elections is not conducive for the consolidation of democracy.
Mr Anamela said the ZCID has also identified gaps in institutional development of most political parties in Zambia.
Mr Anamela said this in a speech read for him by opposition PF chairperson for elections Sylvia Chalikosa at the consultative forum.
“In the recent past, there have been serious incidences of violence, particularly during elections; political parties against each other. This state of affairs is not conducive for the consolidation of democracy,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
I think that it is also of cardinal importance that the proposed changes to the current constitution is made available to an average zambian coz i find it fooly that pipo should be crying for the new constitution when it is apparent that most zambians dont even know what has had been proposed to be in the new constition.
we need the new constitution imwe…
How do we expect a new consititution before 2011 when the NCC is now dysfunctional? This RB is no good. He has taken our country to the drain by undoing whatever Mwanawasa created.
1.Finalise and adopt the NCC report (2). Have a referandum, 3) revise/ update voters register.etc. before 2011………….a tall order for Zambia! It will never happen.
Great idea to have elections under a new constitution but I dubt that the rulling party will agree Mo taim, the daily papers have been running articles on the NCCdelibaertions and its proceedinga are actually run live on the radio. Jazzie Jazzie, I do not agree that the NCC is dysfunctional, it has been runnung as it was under Mwanawasa. Dont just criticise for the sake of it.
Thanks # 5 for that information.But i also think more should be done in the desimination of this information as it is not everyone with access to radio,tv and newspapers especially for the rural folks.Maybe if it was communicated using pipo like chiefs,headmen,councillors etc. could be more effective especially for my uncle in shangombo
what exactly will the new constitution change(as in ellection wise-tip me in)???