Chiefs and partizan politics
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) wishes to observe that contrary to article 168 of the amended republican Constitution some traditional rulers have continued to engage in partisan politics by openly endorsing particular candidates or issuing threats to opposition parties not to campaign in their areas.
We wish to call upon all political parties not to patronise our traditional rulers by soliciting for endorsements. Chiefs should be left to be above partisanship to ensure peaceful campaigns and cooperation from their own subjects. By voicing preferences for particular candidates chiefs risk ridicule and shame when their subjects defy them. In a multiparty democracy, citizens have a right to make their own electoral choices. Political parties, including opposition parties, should be allowed to canvass for votes everywhere without let or hindrance as per constitutional requirement in Article 60 clause 1 (a) of the amended republican constitution no 2 of 2016. There are sufficient laws already to regulate the conduct of election campaigns and chiefs should play no role whatsoever in regulating the conduct of election campaigns. We therefore call upon the ECZ to bring order to campaigns and sanction chiefs that are playing a visibly partisan role and interfering with citizens’ enjoyment of their political rights.
We also wish also to appeal to all political parties to stop patronising traditional rulers, especially during this campaign period. That action places chiefs in a very difficult position and this may explain why some of them have been made to issue statements that are supportive of one political party candidate. If we want our chiefs to be non-partisan, no politician should solicit public endorsement from them as that makes them partisan. We urge our royal highness to take advantage of the already highly charged political environment to play a unifying role and work with all politicians regardless of political affiliation.
Chimfwembe Mweenge
Issued By FODEP ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR