FODEP PREDICTS ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL PETITION
By Michael Kaluba
The Foundation for Democratic Process-FODEP- says another presidential petition is looming with alleged overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice by Patriotic Front Presidential Candidate and Republican President, Edgar Lungu.
FODEP Executive Director George Chimembe says the presidential empowerment programs after which the electorate is asked to vote for President Edgar Lungu, PF running mate Professor Nkandu Luo’s continued use of public resources to campaign in chiefdoms and alleged abuse of the DMMU office for campaigns, are some of violations of the electoral code of conduct.
He alleges that the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- has failed to invoke article 229 clauses 2, paragraph e of the constitution to regulate the conduct of the PF presidential candidate which would compel aggrieved parties to petition against the president for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct.
And Mr. Chimembe says the outcome of Friday’s presidential eligibility constitutional court case is not only a victory for President Edgar Lungu but also for the democracy of Zambia.
The FODEP Executive Director has noted the need for the courts, in exercising judicial authority, to always resort to sound principals of law as espoused under article 118 clause 2 of the republican constitution which among others, provides that justice shall be done to all indiscriminately and shall not be delayed.
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