By ANDREW MUKOMA
Gears Initiative Zambia has defended the former ruling party for setting the presidential nomination fees at K200, 000 as a requirement to decongest the process and avoid confusion ahead of the party convention.
Speaking during a press briefing in Livingstone, Gears Initiative Zambia executive director McDonald Chipenzi said those also were crying foul should understand that all political parties need funds for such a huge process.
However, Mr Chipenzi urged the Patriotic Front to follow their constitution by holding a peaceful convention and avoid what transpired in 2015.
He also expressed optimism that the country’s democracy of multipartism shall continue to be upheld in line with the Republican constitution.
Meanwhile, Mr Chipenzi noted that there are too many useless laws and acts that are infringing the Zambian citizens’ rights. Mr Chipenzi said these laws are an assault to democracy as they undermine freedom of association, assembly and expression.
He said this was in reference to Non-governmental organisation act no.16 of 2009 and Cyber Security And Cybercrimes Act no.2 of 2021.
Mr Chipenzi also noted that there was an information gap between the citizens and lawmakers in the legislative processes leading to ignorance in the provisions of the targeted laws.
