Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:36:05 +0000
By Bennie Mundando
THERE is no need for political parties to be jittery and reject the Political Parties Bill as the document is aimed at bringing sanity to the political arena by addressing shortcomings in our multiparty democracy and promote intra-party democracy, the Zambian DNA has observed.
Speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, Zambian DNA spokesperson Spuki Mulemwa said his organisation welcomed the formation of the bill and that it did not have a problem with its current form as it will bring sanity among political party players and enhance intra-party democracy.
Mr. Mulemwa said there was need for political parties to be regulated to make them more accountable and transparent in their operations for the sake of a thriving democracy and the security of the country as leaving political parties unguarded had adverse effects to the sovereignty of the country.
“Zambian DNA welcomes the Political Parties Bill as it will address ills of our multiparty democracy, and promote intra-party democracy and we commend Government through Justice Minister Given Lubinda for facilitating a democratic consultative process that would enable various shareholders present their various views on the proposed bill.
“Indeed, there is need to regulate political parties so that they are accountable and transparent in their conduct. We are confident that Government will capture various stakeholders’ views in an effort to refine the proposed bill that will be presented to parliament,” Mr. Mulemwa said.
He called on Zambians to feel free to air their views on certain sections which they were not comfortable with and propose the best remedial approaches to their concerns so that as the document goes to parliament, it will be refined and reflecting their views.
“We urge all Zambians to present their views on the proposed bill to Government so that as the final document goes to parliament, it will have the input of all,” Mr. Mulemwa said.
Some stakeholders have expressed concern over some sections in the Political Parties Bill which they have labelled as “poison” which would annihilate the majority of political parties and favour only the UPND and PF.
Sections which have attracted sharp reactions from stakeholders include section 3 part 1(a) and (b), which provides for the creation of a political parties’ board comprising the chairperson, a representative from each of the three church mother bodies, the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA), Ministry of Finance and Home Affairs which are to be appointed by the Republican President and ratified by Parliament while the vice-president of the board will be elected by the members.
The establishment of a political parties’ fund under section 36 for purposes of providing financial support only to political parties with seats in the National Assembly is also one of the contentious provisions while requirements for the registration of a political party under section 21 have also raised eyebrows.
