By MUKWIMA CHILALA
GOVERNMENT is committed to making changes to the Public Order Act, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
Speaking when he met the African Union Election Observer mission at State House yesterday, President Hichilema said that the Public Order Act was abused in the last 10 years and that his government will make some improvements to it.
President Hichilema also said that there is need for reforms in the Electoral Commission of Zambia and that his government is committed to enhancing democracy in Zambia.
He charged that his party had suffered a lot of oppression while in the opposition due to the Public Order Act and would not want to inflict the same on others .
And AU chief of election observer in the just ended election Enerst Bai Karoma said that there is need for review of the Public Order Act which has been a serious source of concern among stakeholders.
And Mr Karoma expressed concern at the low percentage of women participation in politics and recommended that support should be given to women and youth .
He added that their Interactions with various political parties after the just ended election revealed that there was need to have the Public Order Act reviewed .
Mr Karoma added that there was also need to regulate the activities of political parties through an act .
He added that there was need to engage the Electoral Commission of Zambia so as to build confidence for future elections .
Mr Karoma has been in the country meeting various stakeholders in the August general election.
