The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) says it has made a commitment as a party to ensure a 50-50 gender representation in the adoption of candidates for the 2021 Parliamentary and local government elections.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says this is because the ruling party is a firm believer in equal participation of women and men in governing the country.
Speaking when he addressed the media Mr Mwila emphasized that PF will only adopt women who have the quality, determination and popularity on the ground to win elections.
“No one amongst the incumbent members of Parliament has the right to pick a candidate. Candidates will be picked by the party. You are aware that our Central Committee is the one which makes the final decision on the adoptions. So if an incumbent is tired, he cannot appoint someone like a Headman or a Chief. It is the party that makes the decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General who has commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for the manner it conducted the just ended voter registration exercise says PF is satisfied that most of the eligible voters were captured and is optimistic that come August, 2021, they will turn out in their numbers.
“The party has made a decision that anyone who wants to aspire for any office on the ruling party whether as Councillor or member of Parliament is free to declare their interest. It does NOT mean that when you declare interest, then you’re automatically adopted. All of them will go through the adoption process. The constituency will make recommendations to the district. The district to the Province and the Province to the Central Committee. Everyone will have to compete,” he said.
And Mr Mwila says in the same manner that PF mobilized its supporters in its strongholds to register as voters in their numbers, the ruling party will ensure that they turn out to vote for continuity, stability and peace.
