Electorates advised to reject imposed candidates during by-elections

FODEP Executive Director Mweenge Chimfwembe

The Foundation Democratic Process (FODEP) has advised electorates in areas where by-elections are pending to reject imposed candidates by political parties.

FODEP Executive Director Mweenge Chimfwembe says political parties should learn from what happened in the 2016 elections where the people rejected candidates imposed on them and opted to vote for their preferred candidates who stood as independents.

He says it’s important that political parties follow their constitutions and conduct primary elections and allow the people to choose the preferred candidates they want to represent them in their respective wards.

Mr. Chimfwembe has urged political parties to abide by Article 60 of the constitution which compels political parties to conduct primary elections for the selection of candidates.

He states that it will be easy for candidates selected through primary elections to win elections than those imposed on the people.