GEARS concerned over use of Public Resources by Ministers during Chilanga campaigns

GEARS Initiative Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi

Governance, Elections, Advocacy and Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi has expressed concern at the use of public resources by some Ministers during campaigns for the Chilanga parliamentary by-election slated for tomorrow, June 5, 2018.

Mr. Chipenzi says the act of using government resources by some Ministers to campaign in the Chilanga by-election at the expense of discharging their duties does not only amount to abuse of public office, but also electoral malpractice.

Mr. Chipenzi has since urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to take action against such acts in line with the Electoral code of conduct.

Meanwhile Mr. Chipenzi says the disbursement of the Presidential Empowerment Fund should be suspended in areas where by-elections are pending such as Lusaka where there is a pending mayoral by-election.

He says the disbursement of the fund in areas where by-elections are being held is tantamount to electoral malpractice.