FODEP concerned with denial of Police permits to opposition

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is concerned that Police have continued to deny opposition political parties permission to canvass for electoral support ahead of the 2016 elections.

FODEP Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi says they have noted with grave disappointment that the opposition is being denied permits to hold meetings or have their meetings disrupted and leaders harassed.

Mr. Chipenzi says this act is undermining the consolidation of multiparty democracy Zambia embraced in 1991.

He points out that what is more worrying is that the ruling party is busy campaigning while opposition leaders are denied the same opportunities.

He states that this is creating an uneven electoral field less than 12 months to the elections.

Mr. Chipenzi says people should not sit and watch the mutilation of the country’s democratic process at the hand of individuals trying to take advantage of state power entrusted to them by stifling the growth of multi party democracy in Zambia.

He adds that it is undemocratic and a deep-rooted democratic injustice to deny a certain group of people permission to hold political meetings while others are allowed to hold similar meetings.