Hold conventions, UNIP advises political parties

NOW that we are in the election year, it is our expectation that all political parties intending to contest the general elections will hold their conventions, United National Independence Party (UNIP) has said.

Acting National Chairman Captain Robert Mukengami says that the holding of conventions to elect new leaders is the only way some political parties will show democracy in their party hierarchy.

Captain Mukengami who is also the Provincial Chairman for Southern Province has therefore, called on all political parties in the country to emulate UNIP' step to hold its national congress.

He told the Daily Nation in Livingstone that his party will be hold its congress to elect new leaders in readiness for the August general elections.

Captain Mukengami said that it is unfortunate that some political parties in the country have never gone for a conversion from the time they were formed a situation he described as undemocratic.

"Let all political parties that want to contest this year's general elections prove to the people that they are democratic by holding their national conventions before August. We have seen some political parties where their leaders are ' muyayaya'.. that is not democracy," he said.

He said that in order to instill confidence in the people of Zambia, there is need for political players to respect and follow their party constitutions.

Captain Mukengami said this is in order to renew their mandate with the people they lead.