Zambian president promises to uphold democratic principles during polls

Zambian President Rupiah Banda on Friday assured that the country will uphold democratic principles to conduct elections as prescribed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and urged all parties to accept the results of the elections, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Saturday.

"We want the outcome of the elections to be accepted by all participants. As a sitting government, we shall also ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere," Banda was quoted as saying by the paper when he hosted a New Year luncheon for heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations at the State House.

Zambia, he said, cherishes principles of democracy and believes that a democratic culture within and among states is a precondition for a free, peaceful, cooperative, secure and equitable world order.

Banda further assured that problems that have rocked the country's electoral body will be handled properly according to the country's constitution ahead of this year's general elections.

The country's Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has been shrouded in confusion following the sacking of its director Dan Kalale, a situation that resulted in workers going on a work stoppage to press for the resignation of the commission's chairperson Justice Florence Mumba. The commission's chairperson on Thursday resigned from her position after increased pressure on her to step down.

Zambia will this year hold its general elections to elect a president, lawmakers and local government leaders. There have been increased concerns from opposition political leaders and civil society organizations on the transparency of the elections due to the current wrangles over the country's constitution.

The country's constitution has been reviewed but there are still some contentious issues which have not been sorted out which many stakeholders want to include them in the constitution such as the 50 percent plus one requirement for a presidential winner, the need to have a winning president to be ! sworn in after 90 days and that the country's vice-president should be a running mate during an election. Enditem


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