FODEP hails peaceful by-election campaigns

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has rated as generally peaceful the campaign period leading to the April 14, 2015 Parliamentary and local government by-elections.

FODEP hopes the tranquility that has characterized the pre-election period for the Chawama, Masaiti and Senga hill polls thus far will continue in the remaining days before and after the polling day.

Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi says his organization however, recommends the need to extensively distribute and educate electorates on the provisions of the electoral code of conduct of 2011.

Mr. Chipenzi has told a media briefing held in Lusaka that FODEP also recommends that the Electoral Commission of (ECZ) be well equipped in future to deliver the voting materials on time in areas like Masaiti and Senga Hill especially that rains have continued around the country.

He states that there is a further urgent need to review the Electoral Act No.12 of 2006 Section 79 that deals with electoral corruption and illegality so that it is explicit on what happens to a Member of Parliament whose seat has been nullified by the courts on account of corruption and illegality.

Mr Chipenzi notes that this is in order to avoid political parties shifting their positions when it comes to adopting such members to re-contest their seats.

He further states that FODEP recommends the actualization of the printing of ballot papers locally to reduce on the cost of printing and flying ballot papers from South Africa.

Mr Chipenzi says FODEP believes the decision to print ballot papers locally will create the much needed jobs for the people of Zambia especially young people.