CAAC CALLS FOR A 10 YEAR BAN ON CANDIDATES WHO WITHDRAW FROM ELECTORAL CONTEST.
Community Action Against Corruption (CAAC), has proposed for the introduction of a 10 year ban for candidates who withdraw from electoral contest voluntarily without cause.
Organization Chief Executive Officer, Brightone Tembo, said there is need for People to know that, Electoral participation is a serious public undertaking, not a tactical exercise to influence political outcomes or negotiate personal advantage.
Mr. Tembo, said Candidates who seek public office should accept responsibility for the commitments they make to voters and to the nation, stating that the increasing tendency by some candidates to withdraw from electoral contests after successfully filing nominations undermines the credibility, predictability, and integrity of the electoral process.
And Mr. Tembo, said such withdrawals can result in unnecessary public expenditure, create uncertainty among voters, and fuel speculation that, electoral contests are being manipulated through political bargaining or other undisclosed arrangements.
Mr. Tembo, said his organization believes that while there may be genuine and unavoidable circumstances requiring a candidate to withdraw, such as serious illness, death, or other exceptional situations, the law should distinguish these from voluntary withdrawals made for political convenience.
He has since called for Electoral Reforms to Zambia’s electoral laws that would Punish and discourage unjustified voluntary withdrawal of candidates after the close of nominations.
By Ennie Kishiki Mutepuka.
Yar FM
CAAC CALLS FOR A 10 YEAR BAN ON CANDIDATES WHO WITHDRAW FROM ELECTORAL CONTEST.
