Political parties nod ECZ stance

POLITICAL parties including the UPND have nodded the pronouncements made by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on the August 12, 2021.

UPND spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, praised the ECZ for clarifying the Constitutional Court ruling on the qualifications for all aspiring candidates in the August 12 general elections.

Mr Mweetwa said in an interview that the clarification by the ECZ on a Grade 12 certificate requirement which raised a lot of dust was commendable.

He said the intention of parliament for drafting and passing the law was not to bar people from contesting an election but to put a minimum qualification for those vying for public offices.

"As UPND we commend the ECZ for clarifying that for one to contest as MP, mayor, councillor you require a Grade 12 certificate," he said.

Mr Mweetwa also commended the ECZ for revising the election calendar to accommodate the provisions of the dissolution of Parliament set for May 14, this year.

He said the initial dates for nominations were erroneous because they were set before the dissolution of parliament, adding that this would give chance to ministers aspiring as MPs to compete.

And Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, Davies Mwila, said they had welcomed the ECZ pronouncements. Mr Mwila said the PF had no objections to changes made to the elections calendar because it was ready for the elections.

Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) president, Robert Mwanza, commended the ECZ for ensuring that the elections were held despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Mwanza has implored political leaders to respect the judicial decisions made on President Edgar Lungu's eligibility and Grade 12 qualification.

According to the revised calender, the presidential nomination will be held from May 17 to 20 this year while National Assembly nominations will be held on May 17.