By NAMO PHIRI
AMEND the constitution and get rid of the provision of holding by-elections once a person resigns or dies, Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has said.
Mr Sinkamba said this would be the only solution to the confusion and money wastage that comes with holding by-elections on the country.
He said in an interview that by-elections were very costly as it was very expensive to run an election and people were taking advantage and just resigning at will in the name of having the right to do so.
“The solution to this whole thing is what we indicated as the Green Party that we need to amend the constitution to get rid of by-elections so that people just vote and you stay on without holding any elections until the next election,” he said.
Mr Sinkamba said the solution to the issues arising from by-elections was not to stop people from petitioning but stop them completely to avoid having issues of confusions and petitions.
He said the constitution should provide guidance as to what should happen once a person dies.
He said it could be better for there to be a provision were an immediate replacement is made by the party itself or the immediate deputy could take over office.
Mr Sinkamba also advised the Patriotic Front to do what they feel is right concerning the recently held by-elections where most of the seats were won by the UPND if the party felt like there was injustice in the process.
He said the PF should do what is within their constitutional right even if it meant them petitioning the by-elections as it was their right.
He said everyone had the right to go to the courts and petition if they felt that the elections were not held under fair conditions, stolen or there were mischiefs in the process.
