‘New Electoral Act needed before 2021’

FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has called for a new Electoral Act before the 2021 general elections.

Commenting on President Edgar Lungu’s speech on the progress made in the application of national values and principles in Parliament yesterday, Ms Nawakwi told the Daily Nation that the Act should clearly spell out that those that were involved in political violence must be banned from participating in any election forever.

“I think that it is wrong for some political parties, whether in the ruling party or opposition to think that the only way to be in leadership is to shed blood. That is completely unacceptable and any political party that perpetrates violence doesn’t deserve to be in power.

“I want by 2021 to have a law that will ban those who engage in political violence,” Ms Nawakwi said.

And British High Commission to Zambia Fergus Cochrane- Dyet has urged political leaders in Zambia to publicly condemn political violence.

In an interview with the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr Cochrane- Dyet said he was impressed with President Edgar Lungu’s commitment to a peaceful Zambia, by denouncing violence and its perpetrators during his address to Parliament.

He said it was good that the President’s speech addressed issues regarding political violence and governance.

“It was sad that political cadres have continued to perpetrate violence during elections, there is need for Zambians to co-exist and promote dialogue,” Cochrane-Dyet said.