Silavwe reacts to non-renewal of contracts for ECZ chairpersons!
He wrote;
Our reaction to the non-renewal of contracts of Judge Esau Chulu, ECZ Board Chairperson and Dr. Emily Sikazwe, ECZ Vice Board Chairperson by President Hichilema is that it was EXPECTED.
As a political stakeholder that has sat in countless meetings behind closed doors where ECZ and UPND is present, the relationship between Elections House and the UPND leadership has always been toxic. UPND has constantly accused ECZ officials of working against them and ECZ officials have accused the UPND of not being sincere.
To us the refusal to renew the contract by the President signifies PAYBACK TIME. Based on the relationship between the two, we expect more ECZ officials finding themselves unemployed in the coming months and years of the UPND led Government.
As a Party, we call for the total independence of State institutions of good governance such as the ECZ to insulate them from the influence of the Executive arm of Government. We repeat our call to amend the ECZ Act and the Electoral Process Act to strengthen the ECZ.
We further bemoan the growing culture of Politicians to view Zambian Professionals through political affiliations. If this culture is not stopped very soon, we shall have a Government whose ascendancy to state institutions depends on a political party membership card.
We wish Judge Esau Chulu and Dr. Emily Sikazwe well in their future endeavors. You have both served your Country with remarkable dedication and integrity. As GPZ, we thank you most sincerely for your service to the Nation.
GPZ, Our People First
Silavwe Jackson
President
GPZ.