UPND: AMENDMENTS TO CUT ELECTION COSTS, RAISE CDF, AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION
Key Takeaways
1. Over 60 By-Elections Since 2021:
Mr. Simuuwe highlighted that Zambia has held more than 60 by-elections in less than four years—calling it a wasteful and unsustainable trend.
2. Proposed Amendment to Curb By-Elections:
The UPND supports a constitutional amendment that allows a political party to replace a vacated MP seat without holding a by-election.
3. Significant Cost Savings:
Reducing by-elections will save the government millions of kwacha, which can be redirected to essential public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
4. Preserves Voter Choice:
Mr. Simuuwe stressed that the proposal maintains democracy because the replacement would still come from the party originally voted in by the people.
5. Boost to CDF Impact:
More stable constituencies and efficient representation will enhance the reach of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), doubling allocations in cases of constituency subdivision.
6. Improved Service Delivery:
With fewer by-elections, resources and attention can focus on delivering development projects—such as building schools, clinics, and providing clean water.
7. Critics Lack Citizen Consultation:
Mr. Simuuwe challenged CSOs opposing the bill to show evidence of public consultation, accusing some of speaking on behalf of donor interests rather than the Zambian people.
8. Call for Constructive Debate:
He urged all stakeholders to engage in fact-based, constitutional dialogue rather than political speculation.
© UPND Media Team
On this one I don’t agree with you. If a seat falls vacant people should be entrusted to choose another MP. It is up to them to choose from the same party or not. Things do change. Suppose the former MP was bad one and people want from someone else from a different part, what happens?
How will the amendments cut election costs when you are increasing MPs to over 200 ? Holding a general election for 150 constituencies every 5 years is costly enough now what about for 211 constituencies? Already an increment in costs of at least 25%. Now count expensive renovations costing millions to national assembly to accommodate these 50 plus extra MPs. Count the extra allowances, cost of accomodation at parliament motel, free food, free drinks including expensive alcohol, gratuities of K5 million plus for each of them, a brand new vx for each of them etc etc. Then you are saying you are reducing costs? Even the CDF will be reduced to peanuts in order to cover these extra costs.