Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Foundation for the Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi has been accused of reducing his organization to a facade of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairperson Sunday Chanda has alleged that Mr. Chipenzi is a fully-fledged UPND sympathizer.
Mr. Chanda has told Qfm News in a statement that his party also finds it interesting how the UPND agenda has become so synonymous with that of the FODEP.
He is wondering whether the FODEP Board has approved some Memorandum of Understanding or entered into a marriage of convenience with the opposition party.
And Mr. Chanda has observed that Mr. Chipenzi is missing the point with respect Article 68 (3) of the country’s constitution that states that a person may not be nominated as a nominated Member of Parliament if he was candidate for election in the last general election or in any subsequent by-election.
Mr. Chanda states that for the fact that there is no definition of election in the Constitution it is also follows that Local Government elections are not covered in Article 68 (3) and not covered under the Electoral Act.
Sunday Chanda
The PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairperson states that local Government elections are governed by a separate piece of legislation the Local Government Elections Act and that under that Act “election” is defined as an election to the office of Councillor of a council.
He says this means that this provision has no bearing on Article 68 (3) because the “election” referred to under Article 68 (3) is that defined under the Electoral Act which is for Presidential or National Assembly election.
Mr. Chanda notes that this therefore implies that unless Mr. Mulenga Sata who nominated by President Edgar Lungu subjectively considers being Councillor and MP at the same time irreconcilable, he is under no duty to relinquish either position