Civil servants can’t join politics till after 2 years

THERE was a heated debate at the National Dialogue Forum yesterday when delegates differed on the period for which civil servants would resign to join politics, until the matter was subjected to a secret vote.

Article 186 (1) of the current constitution states that a public officer who seeks election or is appointed to a state office shall resign.

There were proposals on Monday from members of the forum who wanted the constitution to be specific and state a time frame in which one can resign before the year of general elections.

The majority of the delegates were of the view that civil servants seeking public office resign three years while others opted for three and six months.

The debate could not be concluded by 18:40 on Monday and it was suggested that the members go for a secret vote to be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

And it was agreed that the article be discussed by members of the forum in their specific groups first thing yesterday before voting could be done.

The members broke into committees as suggested and an election was conducted by the ECZ yesterday. NDF returning officer Annah Mulenga Nkaka declared that the two-year period had gone through with 82 votes against three years that stood at 48, six months at 29, three years at 16, and two years at 13 votes.

Meanwhile, Local Government Association of Zambia president Christopher Kang’ombe yesterday unreservedly apologised to the NDF and the country at large for having disturbed the deliberations the day he was having a disciplinary hearing.

Mr. Kang’ombe, accompanied by his lawyer told the forum that there was no need and justification to block access and to have a confrontation with any member of the forum.

And Forum chairperson Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi accepted Mr. Kang’ombe’s apology and appreciated him for the courage.