The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has expressed confidence that Zambians advocacy for Electoral and Legislative Reforms will yield positive results in the near future.

CCMG Copperbelt Steering Committee Chairperson Fr. Bernard Kapembwa said the faith based organisation is raising awareness of gaps in the Electoral Process Act, Electoral Code of Conduct, ECZ transparency and independence.

Fr. Kapembwa said CCMG was advocating legal reforms in the best interest of the public.

He emphasised that CCMG was not a partisan organisation saying it advocates legal reforms in good faith.

Fr. Kapembwa was speaking when officially opening a stakeholders engagement forum on legal reforms held at Cross Roads in Ndola where discussants and members of the public tackled matters relating to Public Order Law, the independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia and its transparency.

“This is one of those events that we usually organise as CCMG to discuss various issues especially pertaining to governance and the electoral process. We are here to have an exchange of information and we have experts on these matters. As CCMG we have been looking forward to doing papers and undertakings we have started already. What we have been doing is basically on constitutional reform process, electoral code of conduct, electoral processes and ECZ independence. These are the things at a particular time or one day will help us come up with something formidable that is going to inform the nation that is going to inform the grassroots. We the CCMG are basically a faith based organisation and we are non-partisan. We do things for the sake of the grassroots, for the sake of the citizenry. The purpose of CCMG is to help in promoting credible elections through domestic, local but non-partisan kinds of monitoring of elections,” Fr. Kapembwa.

The stakeholders’ forum discussed Electoral and Legislative Framework Reforms concerning gaps in the Electoral Process Act, Electoral Code of Conduct, ECZ transparency and independence.

Meanwhile, lawyer Daniel Libati urged stakeholders advocating legal reforms to utilise the reforms plan proposed by the UPND Government to deliver a good constitution.

The forum was aimed at raising public discourse on the Discussion papers that CCMG has developed on Constitutional Reform, Electoral Process Act and Electoral Code of Conduct, Electoral Commission of Zambia Independence and Transparency and Diaspora and Prison Voting.

CCMG is made up of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).

CCMG Programme Manager Peter Mwanangombe has been highlighting the developed six discussion papers on the Review of NRC Laws, Constitution Reforms, ECZ Transparency, ECZ Independence, Diaspora and Prison Voting, and Electoral Process Act and Electoral Code of Conduct.

“The appointment of ECZ commissioners by the President was noted as a problem as their independence and objectivity was often questioned. The participants recommended removal of the president from the process of appointment of ECZ Commissioners and called for public applications for any vacant commissioner positions with clearly outlined qualifications and selection criteria to enhance transparency. Further, the participants called for strengthening of the Electoral Process Act by codifying into law rights of observers, clearly stating accreditation criteria, in order to devoid and insulate them from unwarranted restrictions. In our quest to ensure that legislative and electoral reforms are not only identified but dealt with, CCMG has developed six discussion paper; (Review of NRC Laws, Constitution Reforms, ECZ Transparency, ECZ Independence, Diaspora and Prison Voting, and Electoral Process Act and Electoral Code of Conduct,” Mr. Mwanangombe said.

He continued:”An electoral process that is limited in transparency and accountability translates to imposition of leadership on the people which consequently undermines electoral democracy and legitimacy of the resultant leadership. This is so because it is assumed that there can be no electoral democracy without credible elections but most probable, elections can occur in the absence of electoral democracy (Bams, 2015). The purpose of this Discussion Paper is to analyse the transparency of the ECZ from the legal and administrative perspective. The key elements of transparency is the ability of a governance system to have clear processes and procedures and easy access to public information by citizens through information sharing. This Discussion Paper argues that the Republican Constitution requires a transparent electoral system in Zambia and some administrative measures have been instituted which contribute to this. While some transparency, such as the possibility for political party election agents and observers are supported by the law, most of it such as consultation with civil society is at the discretion of the Commission.”

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has admitted that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has not done much for its party members as they expected when forming the government.

Some UPND members, especially young people have complained of being neglected after the party formed the New Dawn Government in August, 2021.

The critical youths say only those in government positions are benefiting from their sweat and sacrifices of spending over 20 years in opposition.

When meeting UPND leaders in Samfya, Luapula Province, Eng. Nzovu said New Dawn government officials cannot shy away from the fact that they are in offices today because of the sweat and sacrifices of party members.

“We have not forgotten our people. On our tour of duty in Luapula Province recently, we took time to interact with the United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership in Samfya district. We cannot shy away from the fact that we are in our offices today because of the sweat and sacrifices of our people. We are in these offices because of UPND and we are in government to implement the UPND Manifesto,” the Nangoma Member of Parliament said.

He said things have been slow despite the efforts by people to form cooperatives and companies.

“It is true we have not done much for the people as measured by their expectations. Things have been slow despite the efforts by our people to form cooperatives and companies. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that some people occupying some offices of authority have been hindering this progress. But our people must never lose hope because we are working tirelessly to put in place legal and sustainable empowerment mechanisms as opposed to the ones in the past where party members used to amass unexplainable wealth through illegalities. Manchester United cannot win the league by playing Arsenal players in their games and in every game there are substitutes. The New Dawn Administration will not condone any person or office to thwart progressive efforts aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of our people who gave us the mandate to serve them. The time has come for us to restore the dignity of our members, the real owners of the change we made on 12th August 2021. Start warming up, we love you dearly our members,” he said.

When touring Luapula Province, Eng. Nzovu met Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people at his Palace in Mwansabombwe District.

He assured the Mwata that traditional leaders and Luapula as a Province will never be left behind in the development agenda of the New Dawn Government.

“We had a very fruitful meeting with His Royal Highness Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people at his Palace in Mwansabombwe District of Luapula Province. We discussed salient national matters which included climate change, environmental issues, Carbon Trading market and governance issues. We assured His Royal Highness that traditional leaders and Luapula as a Province will never be left behind in the development agenda of the New Dawn Government. Government will work closely with traditional leaders to harness the potential in our country. We are grateful to Chief Mwata Kazembe for pledging to work closely with the Government on forest protection matters and to be an ambassador of climate change,” the Minister of Green Economy and Environment stated.

Meanwhile, Eng. Nzovu has saluted the Muslim community in Zambia for their donation of food hampers to the flood victims in Nangoma Constituency through the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust.

“Our sincere gratitude to the Muslim community in Zambia for their donation of food hampers to the flood victims in Nangoma constituency through the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust. We are all brothers’ keepers, a disaster somewhere is a disaster everywhere. When one is affected we are all affected because we are one people despite different religious denominations. More than 5000 people have been affected by floods in Nangoma constituency alone. As a Member of Parliament, I would like to appeal to institutions, organisations and individuals to come forth and render a helping hand to our people during this tough time. Once again thank you so much to the Muslim social and welfare Trust,” Eng. Nzovu said.

New Chipata Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri has told President Hakainde Hichilema that sometimes he is cheated that things are good on the ground.

During his Episcopal Ordination in Chipata at the weekend, Bishop Phiri said foot soldiers do not tell President Hichilema the truth

The Catholic Bishop said President Hichilema and him have a big responsibility to help improve people’s standards of living.

Bishop Phiri added that when Church leaders speak it should not be mistaken with de-campaigning the government of the day.

“The President, President HH as we call him. Thank you for coming. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your gift. I know you and I have a big responsibility, there is a lot that we need to do if people have to be at least better in terms of their standard of living. I won’t go into each and every challenge that we are going through but I hope to find time to sit down with you. Sometimes I feel bad that some of your foot soldiers do not tell you the truth. They cheat you and sometimes when we talk of simple things. We do not need one plus one. If I say the road to Vubwi is bad, the road to Chadiza is bad, is one plus one equal to zero? But people being people, serving the same people I do not want to go into because this is a moment of joy, a moment of celebration. I am citing these to say sometimes engage us the church de-campaigning the government in power. Not really. There is a lot of good will,” Bishop Phiri said.

In his remarks, President Hichilema extolled the Catholic Church and particularly in Chipata Diocese for the determination in steering matters of social justice, peace and unity.

“We were honoured to have been among hundreds of Catholic faithful in the Episcopal consecration of the new Bishop of Chipata, His Grace msgr. Gabriel Msipu Phiri, as auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata. We congratulated the Bishop for his dedication to his priestly duties in encouraging, refreshing restoring and shepherding the weak, and leading by example to move in pursuit of holiness, without abandoning his pastoral walk, from the time he was ordained as a young priest, to the time of being consecrated as a Bishop today. We extolled the Catholic Church and particularly, the Catholic Diocese of Chipata for their determination in steering matters of social justice, peace and unity and their solidarity and assistance for the poor in areas of healthcare education and food security. We reaffirmed our position that the Government should not be viewed as a competitor to the Church but rather as a partner and collaborator in matters of common interest to our communities. We were further pleased to note that our two traditional leaders, Their Majesties Paramount Chiefs Kalonga Gawa Undi and Mpezeni 4 respectively, shared the same platform in witnessing the consecration of the Bishop and in the same vein welcomed our colleagues from the opposition parties that were free to attend the ceremony without any form of harassment from anyone. This is as it should be in a democracy,” President Hichilema stated.

Meanwhile, Chipata Diocese Bishop George Lungu said he raised the motion to seek an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese because he needed a helper owing to the growing needs of Chipata Diocese.

“Firstly, we thank God for our Auxiliary Bishop Rt Rev. Gabriel Msipu Phiri. We receive him in the Diocese as a special blessing to the local Church of Chipata. I moved the motion to seek an Auxiliary Bishop for Chipata Diocese for obvious reasons some of which have been well articulated in the hymns composed for this occasion. Let me just add one or two reasons. Wisdom of the east and I think Abena Ngumbo will agree with me, tells us that kuyenda babili si manta yai, to seek company on a journey is not a sign of cowardice. It is a gesture that one appreciates the need for company in managing situations and not going it alone,” Bishops Lungu said.God gave Aaron to Moses for a similar reason. Jesus knew what he was doing by sending out 12 apostles and 72 additional disciples two by two. St Paul enjoyed the company of Barnabas, Siras and Timothy. Looking at the geography size of the Diocese and the amount of pastoral demands in response to the growing needs of the Diocese I had to request the company of an auxiliary Bishop,” he said.

“I needed an additional pair of eyes to see the needs of our people, an additional pair of ears to hear the cries of our people, an additional pair of legs to walk the paths around the Diocese so as to reach out to the sheep in the periphery of our Diocese. Kanyelele in the north of Chama, Kachindu in the South-West and Kapirikasweta in the west. Doubling with Episcopal presence also means more time with our people. For we cannot smell the sheep as Pope Francis admonishes us without spending sufficient time with the Sheep. More time with them helps us to identify ourselves with their joys, their anxieties, their hopes and their aspirations. This enduring presence among our people also validates and authenticates our prophetic mission of our Episcopal ministry. Therefore, allow me to thank most profoundly our Holy Father Pope Francis for responding positively to my cry,” Bishop Lungu said.