By KALOBWE BWALYA
THERE are growing calls for the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to waive nomination fees from candidates in the Kabwata by-election.
Economic and Equity Party( EPP) president Chilufya Tayali has backed calls by Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) president Sean Tembo to stop the ECZ from getting fresh nomination fees from candidates for the Kabwata Parliamentary seat because they already paid. In an interview, Mr Tayali, who is also contesting the Kabwata parliamentary seat, said he supports Mr Tembo because it was not fair to the candidates.
Mr Tayali said it was not correct that other candidates be penalised for having done nothing. Mr Tayali wondered why ECZ should make every candidate pay fresh nomination fees despite the earlier payment alid. He said the act becomes surcharged and unfair to other political parties as they did not withdraw from the race.
He said candidates whowere valid with their earlier nomination should not be subjected to another nomination and not just the fees, but only the party concerned should have to pay.
Meanwhile, Mr Tembo said the decision by ECZ to have all political parties to go for fresh nomination was irrational and unfair because they already paid. On Friday, ECZ called for fresh nominations for the Kabwata by-election which will be held on February 3, 2022 in Kabwata.
