‘Evil plans won’t derail NDF resolutions’
EVIL plans by individuals that are bitter about the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) resolutions will hit a snag because unpatriotic agendas are never condoned in Zambia, United Liberal Party president Sakwiba Sikota has charged.
Mr Sikota said that it was clear from the onset that some people were sentimental about the formation of the NDF and wanted it to fail.
Zambian’s from were well represented at the NDF.
Mr Sikota told the Daily Nation that in as much as not all the positions wanted were adopted, the majority of the cardinal issues were adopted to the benefit of Zambians.
He explained that the Forum was characterised with robust debate, among people from the same institution and even had some cabinet ministers debating against each, disproving claims that the PF had fixed positions they wanted to force on the others.
Mr Sikota said opposition political parties had no one to blame because they did not come with a common position, but each had its own view on various clauses.
“It is God's will that we certainly resolve our Constitutional and legal issues. No one with good intentions should stand in the way of the NDF,” Mr Sikota said.
He said the NDF resolved to introduce a mixed proportional representation system that mitigates against multiple and costly bye elections.
The forum he added also settled for an electronic voting and voter registration of Zambians in the diaspora.
“We also made resolutions on provision for coalition government to save on costly presidential run-off.”
“Making it clear that under the Public Order Act you do not need a permit it instead all you need do is to notify the authorities and providing for a longer period for conclusion of Presidential election petitions,” he said.
He said NDF was tasked to facilitate the dialogue in respect of Constitutional refinement together with enhancing rights under the Public Order Act and updating the electoral process reforms.