WE ARE NOT MANDATED BY LAW TO DISCLOSE THE DECLARED ASSETS OF CANDIDATES – ECZ
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says the law does not mandate the Commission to publicise the assets declared by presidential aspiring candidates.
But Lusaka Lawyer Mulambo Haimbe says that he is not aware of any provision that restricts the Commission from publicising the assets.
Two weeks, ago 16 presidential candidates filed their nominations and among the requirements was that they submit completed nomination forms, the prescribed number of supporters, affidavit forms with attached Grade 12 certificate, a copy of NRC certified document, a certified copy of the voters card, tax clearance certificate and a copy of declaration of assets among other requirements.
Responding to an inquiry, chief electoral officer Patrick Nshindano said the law did not provide the Commission with the mandate to make public declarations.
“The law does not provide for making public declarations,” said Nshindano.
But in a separate interview, Haimbe said the implication of the Commission to not avail that information was that they were aiding those who may what to gain wealth in public office in a questionable manner.
“I don’t know of any legal provisions that says that, that information cannot be published. That answer given by the Commission does not tell you that the law doesn’t say that or that information is confidential. As far as I know, the whole reason of filing is so that the public is made aware of what the assets and liabilities of these people who want to stand in office have. As a means of checks and balances, as a way of knowing that in the future if their assets increase, they should be able to explain how the assets have increased. The Commission has been consistently refusing to release that information from 2016 when it was seen that a certain individual from amongst the candidates increased his net worth from K2.5 million in 2015 to K23 million in 2016,” said Haimbe.
“They should release that information as it is a matter of public interest. If the Commission says no, they should base it on an appropriate legal provision. The implication of the Commission refusing to provide this information is that they are aiding those who may want to gain wealth whilst in public office in a questionable manner to do so. When you are hiding information which is supposed to be in the public it simply means that we are allowing these people to increase their wealth whilst not being accountable to the people of Zambia and that, in my view is not correct.”
The following are the 16 presidential aspiring candidates that filed their nominations:
President Edgar Lungu: PF
Mr Enock Tonga: 3rd Liberation Movement
Mr Sean Tembo: Patriots For Economic Progress
Mr Andyford Banda: People’s Alliance For Change
Ms Chishala Kateka: New Heritage Party
Mr Kasonde Mwenda: Economic Freedom Fighters
Mr Steven Nyirenda: National Restoration Party
Mr Lazarus Chisela: Zambians United For Sustainable Development
Dr Richard Silumbe: Leadership Movement
10. Mr Highvie Hamududu: Party Of National Unity And Progress.
Dr Fred M’membe: Socialist Party.
Mr Harry Kalaba: Democratic Party.
Mr Hakainde Hichilema: UPND.
Dr Nevers Mumba: Movement For Multi-Party Democracy.
Mr Charles Chanda: United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia.
Trevor Musonda Mwamba: United National Independence Party.