THE opposition Green Party of Zambia has called for the temporary suspension of the Public Order Act because it is stifling the electioneering for the forthcoming presidential by-election to elect a successor to late President Michael Sata.
The GPZ’s leader and presidential aspirant Peter Sinkamba made the call shortly after his unveiling as the party candidate and the release of the party’s campaign strategy at a press briefing at Amigos Restaurant in Nkana East in Kitwe.
Mr Sinkamba said a stakeholders’ meeting needed to be convene soon to waive the Public Order Act because it was disadvantaging political parties from conducting effective campaigns, as it required political parties to give 14-day notice to hold meetings.
He also called on acting President Guy Scott to announce the date for the elections.
“The acting President Guy Scott needs to announce the date of the elections without further delays,” Mr Sinkamba said.
He pledged: “The Green Party is more than ready to participate in the presidential by-election and assures that as a party, it will demonstrate that it is full of innovative ideas capable of transforming the economic and social fortunes of the country.”
Mr Sinkamba, who announced his party’s theme as ‘Legalise it to grow the economy and end poverty’, boasted being capable of making the country begin to earn an extra US$15 billion in revenue annually if they formed the government and implemented some key policy reforms.
Meanwhile the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has endorsed Hakainde Hichilema as its presidential candidate and called for a peaceful and fair election.
UPND vice-president for Political Affairs, Canisius Banda said Mr Hichilema’s candidature was ratified by the party’s National Management Committee (NMC) and all its Members of Parliament (MPs).
Dr Banda, who expressed confidence that UPND would win the election, said Mr Hichilema would provide a new breed of leadership.
Dr Banda implored political actors to exhibit peace and campaign fairly during the upcoming election.
The UPND has pledged to among other things reduce mealie meal prices, accelerate the pay up of external debts, maintain bursaries and provide free education.
Also MMD leader, Nevers Mumba has said there is no presidential vacancy in the party, which certain members are thinking of hijacking.
Dr Mumba said it was clear that the party held its convention in 2012 where he was elected as party president with a five-year mandate and that the party Constitution did not state anything on adopting another Presidential candidate.
“There is no presidential vacancy, we elected one party president in 2012, who is automatically expected to contest this Presidential election because I am still alive serving the party, there is no vacancy,” he said.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Mumba said his stance to contest in next year’s presidential elections was not debatable and asked other members to abide by the party constitution.
He cautioned those contemplating competing with him to desist from such selfish ideas and that whoever was habouring such intentions would create enmity and confusion in the party which was now preparing for campaigns.