FODEP counsels political parties

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has appealed to all political parties to review their constitutions ahead of the 2016 tripartite elections to make them more user-friendly and democratic.

FODEP Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi in an end of year statement notes that 2014 was characterized by political confusions caused, partly by defective party constitutions, limited intra-political party democracies and poor political culture that disregarded tenets of democracy.

Mr Chipenzi adds that the death of Republican President Michael Sata opened a can of democratic deficits in the current constitution and vindicated those who have been demanding for the enactment of a new people driven constitution.

He says the controversies that surrounded the power transfer after Mr. Sata’s death emphasized the need for the agent attention by ruling elites to prioritize the enactment of a new constitution.

Mr Chipenzi says as the Year 2015 dawns, though at a crucial time, when Zambians will be electing a new Republican President, the political, social and economic gains of 2014 should be consolidated while the deficits should be addressed with the urgency they deserved by the new administration.

Mr Chipenzi says the call for the enactment of a new constitution and electoral reforms should be louder than ever before in 2015 and citizens should be consistent in holding elected and government leaders accountable.

He states that it is FODEP’s considered desire that 2016 elections will be held under a new Constitution and Electoral Law.

Mr Chipenzi has also paid glowing tribute to the media for the cordial working relationship built in 2014 and hopes the same to continue in the year 2015.

He notes that without the media, FODEP’s contribution to the democratic consolidation and good governance in Zambia would not be appreciated by the citizens.