UPND’S CALL TO DEREGISTER RAINBOW PARTY NONSENSICAL

THEsentiments reported in some section of the media attributed to the UPND suggesting that political parties such as the Rainbow Party must be deregistered are unfortunate as they defeat the need for plurality the basis upon which multiparty politics is based.

The statement from the UPND leadership follows the progressive engagement that the Rainbow Party and other dialogue-oriented political parties had at the just ended summit for political party presidents.

Since the statement by the opposition is repugnant to the core values of multiparty politics, we deem it fit that the same statement cannot go without a comment, especially a strongly worded condemnation.

Such careless statements are capable of inciting dissent against those perceived to have differences in opinion.

Like we have indicated in the past, UPND has shown that it is an organisation that has zero tolerance to diversity and democracy is alien in its files.

The party is determined to harass anyone who seems to be standing their way. I can confirm being a victim of abuse by the UPND on any accessible platform including Facebook, WhatsApp, and were possible in person.

The only transgression I have committed is the perceived alignment to President

Edgar Lungu and the party.

For instance, UPND embraces an unelected presidency in the name of the life unelected president Hakainde Hichilema (by virtue of Article 70 of its constitution.

Under our constitutional democracy, political parties are the creation of the law and they can only cease to exist in accordance with the same law. Therefore, it is nonsensical for ruling

UPND not to acknowledge the fact that political parties do not exist on the discretion of the UPND. Going by the remarks from the UPND Secretariat, we are made to believe that they intend to create a one-party state in the same manner they have managed to create a one-party dominance in the alliances were they have imposed their leader to be the leader of the grouping. We also wish to salute opposition parties such as Forum for Democracy and Development, United Liberal Party, Rainbow, PEP, NRP among which have defied to be recruited in the hatred crusade. It is also strange that these parties are accused to be surrogates of the PF when they are not members of the ruling party.

We wish to assure all political parties that for as long as President Lungu continues to be at the helm of authority, multiparty politics will be safeguarded and they will not be deregistered.

MARVIN

MBERI,

Youth

Lusaka.

Rights

CHANDA

Activist.