Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has come to learn with disappointment about the suggestion by the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) that they may recommend for the postponement of the 2021 General Elections. We call upon relevant authorities to caution ZNPHI for this irresponsible and reckless utterance which is likely to incite a potential abrogation of the Constitution for political expediency dressed as concern for the lives of citizens. According to Article 51 (1) of the Zambian Constitution as amended in 2016, “A general election shall be held, every five years after the last general election, on the second Thursday of August.” Therefore, the August 12th General Elections are constitutionally established and thus any postponement would amount to a breach of the supreme law of the land.
TI-Z would also like to call upon all well-meaning Zambians to condemn, in the strongest terms, this suggestion by ZNPHI. Apart from the obvious potential abrogation of the constitution, postponing the August elections would dent the political reputation of the country and initiate political, social and economic instability. We urge all political parties to distance themselves from this proposition in order to safeguard the peace and stability of this nation.
We would like to remind all stakeholders that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the PF government vociferously refused to declare a lockdown due to the wide reaching social and economic effects such a move would have. It would therefore be contradictory and the highest level of hypocrisy for the government to now support this notion during a time when COVID-19 cases are far much less than we saw at the height of the pandemic last year.
TI-Z believes that the 12th August election should proceed while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines just like all other activities have continued. In any case, there is no evidence to suggest that only political activities have been contributing to a rise in cases as opposed to social and entertainment activities which have continued under the new normal.
Maurice K. Nyambe
TI-Z Executive Director
