By IREEN MULENGA
Socialist Party Copperbelt Spokesperson Joseph Kangwa says the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ban political rallies is disadvantaging opposition parties.
Mr Kangwa said that the ECZ’s ban on political rallies is evidence that it is not an independent institution when it comes to decision making.
He said the electoral body obeyed the call of President Edgar Lungu to ban campaigning for the August 12 national elections and that is a clear indication that ECZ is acting as a direct instrument of the PF government.
“The PF government has been hyping the threat of Covid-19 in Zambia precisely for this reason: to silence all opposition voices and project strength in time for the country’s national elections. Instead of functioning like a pillar of the country’s democracy, as envisioned by the country’s Constitution, the ECZ has again proven that it is an instrument of the PF’s dictatorship,” he said.
Mr Kangwa said that the ECZ’s ban on political rallies and the shooting of presidential candidate Hikainde Hichilema’s convoy on June 6, 2021, belong in the same spectrum of repression of opposition political parties.
He said the ban on political rallies is a clear indication that Zambia is no longer a democratic nation.
Mr Kangwa said the coming of PF into power under the leadership of President Lungu, government has been acting as a threat to democracy.
He said the PF has prevented protest actions, restricted the actions of NGOs, silenced the media and intimidated the populace.
Mr Kangwa said Zambians have suffered enough and has urged the nation to use August 12 wisely for the betterment of this Country.
