Outrage As Zambia Hikes Presidential Nomination Fees By 750%

Justice Esau Chulu

By Paul Shalala 

Zambia has increased the nomination fee for the August 11 presidential election by 750% triggering complaints from opposition parties, aspiring candidates and the civil society.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced on Thursday that it had increased all nomination fees for this year’s elections during a stakeholders meeting in Lusaka.

ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu said the increase of the presidential nomination fee from K10,000 (US$1,000) to K75,000 (US$7,500) was a preserve of the electoral body.

“Section 21 and 23 of the Electoral Act number 12 of 2006 refer to the nomination fees that candidates to the office of the President and National assembly are expected to pay. The nomination fees are determined by ECZ,” said Justice Chulu.

Peter Sinkamba

He also announced the adjustment of nomination fees for other elective offices.

“Parliamentary candidates will pay K10,000 (from K5,000), Mayoral candidates will pay K10,000, Council Chairperson candidates will pay K5,000, Councillor for city and municipal K2,000 (from K100) while councillor for rural pays K1,500 (from K50),” he added.

This increase has been condemned by various opposition political parties, civil society activists and people aspiring for various offices.

Green Party President Peter Sinkamba says the increase is ridiculous.

Allan Sakala

“Whilst I can afford to pay for my presidential nomination fees, I find this measure extremely ridiculous because it bars rural populations from participating in governance systems,” said Sinkamba who lost the 2015 Presidential election.

His words were echoed by other interested parties.

Allan Sakala, an aspiring independent candidate for Munali constituency in Lusaka, has even threatened to sue the electoral body.

“Guru (Allan Sakala) will be taking the ECZ to court over the high nomination fees. Politics and leadership can never be the preserve of the rich and the corrupt,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

And reggae artist Maiko Zulu, who is aspiring as an independent candidate for Kabwata constituency in Lusaka, has also complained about the new nomination fees describing them as too high and unrealistic.

Maiko Zulu

“The revised nomination fees for candidates for the 2016 general elections are too high and not reflective of the present economic living conditions of ordinary Zambians. The electoral process seems to now be a preserve for the rich, thereby commercialising participation of leadership,” said Zulu.

But the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), a civil society organisation, says the hike in nomination fees will result in Zambia having the most expensive ever election this year.

“If these nomination fees are allowed to go unchallenged, it will be a clear promotion of discrimination and marginalisation of the poor in the electoral system and process which will be contrary to the provisions of Article 45 (a) (c) and (d) which tries to ensure that citizens freely exercise their political rights,” said FODEP executive director MacDonald Chipenzi.

“The resultant of such a move will make the 2016 general elections the most expensive elections Zambia has ever seen since independence and will be millionaires’ and educated people’s electoral game,” he added.

According to the ECZ, candidates will have to make a 50% down payment of the nomination fees before filing the nomination papers.

MacDonald Chipenzi

Presidential candidates will file their nominations between May 30 and June 3 while Mayoral candidates and those contesting as Council Chairperson will file their papers on May 30.

Parliamentary candidates will file their nomination on 31 May.

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu is expected to dissolve Parliament in May to pave way for official campaigns whose period the ECZ says will run from May 16 to August 10.

Zambia has over six million registered voters who will be electing a President, 156 Members of Parliament and over 1, 400 Councillors and an unspecified number of Mayors and Council Chairpersons.

Zambian Politicians Panic As Grade 12 Requirement Is Enforced

By Paul Shalala

A photoshoped photo of Mr Mwamba in a graduation gown

It came as surprise to the nation but it wasn’t so to the 158 Members of Parliament (MP) who sit in the Zambian legislature.

Towards the end of 2015, MPs debated and voted for the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill which ushered in a number of new electoral rules that took effect on 5^th January, 2016.

One of those regulations is the requirement for all people aspiring to contest as President, Members of Parliament or Councillors to have a Grade 12 certificate.

This certificate is obtained after a pupil sits for examinamtions after studying the senior secondary school curriculum.

For example, Article 70 (4) states that a person is eligible to be elected as an MP if they have obtained a minimum qualification of a Grade 12 certificate or the equivalent.

This new regulation has sent many politicians into panic as they are generally seen not to be well educated.

Recent media reports even indicated that some parliamentarians had even approached the presidency to try and intervene but in the end President Edgar Lungu assented to the bill to make it into law.

Fr. Bwalya's Facebook status

Kasama Central MP Geoffrey Mwamba (above), a former Minister of Defence and now an opposition strongman, is widely believed not to possess the Grade 12 certificate and young people on social media have been mocking him as a result.

Despite technically still being a ruling Patriotic Front (PF) lawmaker, Mr Mwamba, who is popularly known as GBM and is one of the richest businessmen in the country, picked up a position in the opposition UPND as party Vice President, a move which has made him an enemy within his party.

PF Chairman for Information Frank Bwalya was one of the first people to mock Mr Mwamba saying the lawmaker actually dropped out before reaching Grade 7.

The Catholic Priest, who practiced journalism before joining fulltime politics a few years ago, took to social media to allege that the Kasama Central lawmaker was actually a Grade 6 drop out.

“…..GBM is infact a Grade six term three drop out at Chifwani Primary School in Kasama,” wrote Fr Bwalya on his Facebook page (see above left).

Potpher Tembo's Facebook status

Fr Bwalya is not the only one who has taken to social media to talk about the alleged little education Mr Mwamba allegedly has.

Several youths on Facebook have been posting a photoshopped photo of Mr Mwamba in a graduation gown with an inscription that he is eligible to run for Parliament later this year when general elections are held on 11^th August.

But on 6^th January, Mr Mwamba held a press briefing in Lusaka where he mocked the ruling party and confirmed he had a Grade 12 certificate and was ready to re-contest his seat during the general elections.

“I cant wait for the filing of nominations so that I can prove that am qualified beyond the needed Grade 12 certificate. This issue was raised in 2011 but those who thought [former President Michael] Sata had no degree were shocked to learn he had the qualifications,” said Mr Mwamba as his supporters cheered in agreement.

But according to records at the National Assembly of Zambia (Parliament), the Kasama Central lawmaker entered his details for secondary school.

A screenshot of Parliament website

The website (left) confirms that he is a Form V, the older version of Grade 12 which was used in the old school curriculum.

And some ’brave’ politicians also took to social media to confirm that they had the certificates and were ready to contest the forthcoming polls.

The Deputy Mayor of Zambia’s Capital city Lusaka was one of the first people to unveil his education qualifications.

Potpher Tembo, who is a Councillor for Chawama Ward Three, announced to his supporters that he was well above the requirement.

Keli Walubita on his qualifications

“I have a full Grade 12 certificate 1994 intake Nyimba Secondary School 12Y. Am also a holder of qualifications in Journalism, Banking, Counselling, Diplomacy, Leadership and an honourary doctorate in Political Science,” stated Mr Tembo (see above right).

Zambia Redemption Front President Keli Walubita Jr also took disclosed his credentials.

“Am not only a holder of a full Grade 12 certificate attained from Hillcrest National Technical Secondary School but a Chartered Member of the London Institute of Procurement and Supply plus being a trained Security Officer,” wrote Mr Walubita Jr, a son of a former Foreign Affairs Minister who shares the same names (see screenshot on the left).

For common Zambians, this education requirement for aspiring candidates has become a good talking point.

Many are posting jokes about it and making it look like it’s a comedy show.

A Zambian mocking politicians

In the previous law, those aspiring as Councillors and Members of parliament only needed to be literate: able to read and write, for them to contest elections.

Former MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe has condemned the law saying uneducated leaders have achieved a lot in other countries better than those perceived to be well educated.

“This is a constitution that has basically barred all our able community leaders such as humble marketeers, bus drivers and basically the majority voters….. We all know that leadership is not necessarily measured by one’s educational qualifications or a number of degrees,” stated Major Kachingwe in a press release.

“A number of our great leaders in the world and even in this country at local and even parliamentary levels have done far greater things and achieved more success than our so-called educated people.”

A number of sitting MPs and dozens of aspiring parliamentary and local government candidates have been knocked out of this year's general elections due to lack of a Grade 12 certificate.

According to observers, the coming of the Grade 12 clause is expected to boost the number of politicians enrolling for evening classes to prepare for the 2021 general elections. 

But this is not the first time the issue of education qualifications has become a topic of debate just before a general election in Zambia.

Another screenshot about politicians

Prior to the 2011 general elections, a similar situation unfolded where the MMD government, through the National Constitution Conference (NCC), pushed a recommendation for a presidential candidate to have a first degree for them to qualify for the highest office in the land.

The NCC was a body made up of MPs, civil society and other interest groups which was reviewing the Zambian constitution to try and adopt a new one.

To some observers, this proposal was aimed at barring then opposition leader Michael Sata who was rumoured not to have a degree.

In the thick of things, Mr Sata disclosed that he had over the years acquired two degrees under distance education.

This prompted the degree clause to fall off during the NCC deliberations.

 Mr Sata later beat the MMD during the elections on 20^th September, 2011 and led Zambia for three years until his death in October 2014.

Zambia Adopts New Electoral Rules, Sets Elections On 11 August

By Paul Shalala

President Lungu assenting to the Constitution Bill

Zambia has today adopted a new set of electoral laws that has set a new date for the forthcoming general elections and introduced what has been described as 'progressive clauses.'

This afternoon, Zambian President Edgar Lungu assented to the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill of 2015 which has come with several laws that had been eluding the Zambian people for decades.

Since the 1990s, Zambians had been submitting to countless Constitution Review Commissions to amend the electoral laws which date back to the colonial days.

Some of the laws Zambians have been seeking to be done away with include the first-past-the-post-takes-all electoral system and the appointment of a republican Vice President by the head of state.

Despite draft constitutions and reports being produced and circulated, successive governments have not been acting on the recommendations, rendering the whole constitution making process dead for years.

The signing ceremony was held this afternoon at the Chinese made National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, a site where the Zambian head of state was inaugurated as the country's sixth President 12 months ago after winning a tightly contested poll following the demise of Michael Sata.

"There comes a time when people's cries on an issue must come to an end....... As leaders, we have to listen to the voice of the people..... When i was being sworn in as President last year, i promise to give you a new constitution and here it is," said President Lungu.

He also reiterated his desire to have the rest of the draft constitution be passed through a referendum that he has tied to the next general elections set for later this year.

When the bill was tabled before parliament at the end of 2015, the ruling Patriotic Front allied itself with the opposition MMD to gunner the much needed votes to pass the bill which was opposed by the opposition UPND, FDD and ADD.

And in his speech, President Lungu acknowledged the role the MMD parliamentarians played.

"The MMD gives me hope with its civic roles it played in the house," he said as MMD President Nevers Mumba who was seated in the VIP section of the stadium nodded his head.

Among the electoral reforms the new law has brought is the 50 plus one majoritarian election of a president and the Vice President Running mate clause.

The new laws have set second Thursday of August every after five years as the election date.

This means that this year, Zambians will vote for their new President, Members of Parliament and Councillors on 11th August.

In the old constitution, Zambia's Presidents had the power to set an election date which stakeholders had complained that it was being used to disadvantage the opposition.

Further, the law has also adopted dual citizenship, a concept that scores of Zambians have been crying for, especially those in the diaspora.

To the delight of many, the requirement for all presidential candidates to have both their parents being born in Zambia has been scrapped off.

This is a law that was passed in the 1990s which many say was targeted at Zambia's founding father Dr. Kenneth Kaunda from participating in elections after he lost the 1991 democratic elections.

Despite this milestone for good governance campaigners, several civil society organisations and opposition political parties were opposed to the adoption of these progressive laws through parliament.

Operating under a loose consortium calling itself the Grand Coalition on The Enactment of a People Driven Constitution, non-governmental organisations even picketed parliament to block the bill last year.

On 23rd October 2014 when the final draft constitution was released, government announced it will adopt the contentious closes through Parliament and later subject the whole document to a national referendum.

But the Grand Coalition opposed the move opting for a referendum to adopt the whole document before the general elections.

Even after the bill was passed by law makers, the Grand Coalition even called on President Lungu not to assent to it.

With the enactment of these laws, the bigger job of enacting the whole constitution still lies ahead.

Zambia Parliament in session

The Bill of Rights, whose review triggers a referendum, is yet to be put on the ballot and as promised by President Lungu, will be voted together with candidates for President, Members of Parliament and Councillors on 11th August.

In May 2015, Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula announced that government had appointed Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as members of the Referendum Commission.

This means that the ECZ will conduct the 2016 General Elections simultaneously with the referendum on the constitution.

According to the Referendum Act, all Zambians in possession of the green National Registration Card are eligible to vote in the referendum which is usually conducted in a YES or NO fashion.

Jacob Mulenga: Footballer, Cancer Activist And Donor

Jacob Mulenga

By Paul Shalala

He is generally known for his scoring exploits in the Chipolopolo outfit, the popular name for the Zambia national soccer team.

When the name Jacob Mulenga comes up, its football that comes to mind.

The 31 year old striker has in his decade long career played for a number of clubs in Zambia, F.C. Strasbourg and Chateauroux in France, Adana Demirspor in Turkey, Utrecht F.C. in The Netherlands and is currently playing for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C. in China.

At the national level, Jacob has 42 caps and scored nine goals for Chipolopolo.

Well, that is only one side of Jacob.

But it is time to meet Jacob the humanitarian.

Unknown to many Jacob Mulenga, our soccer export to China, is a compassionate star whose heart has gone out to fight cancer.

In short he is a cancer activist and donor.

For years, this prolific striker has been making monthly contributions to the Cancer Support Network of Zambia (CSNZ).

These contributions have helped the organisation reach out to the most needy in society.

Part of the money he has donated has been used to refurbish a ward which has been adopted by the Cancer Support Network at the Kitwe Central Hospital.

"Jacob has been a great contributor to the fight against cancer in Zambia. He has been helping us financially here in Kitwe where he hails from," said Bishop Bolden Chihana, CSNZ Finance Director.

This gesture has not gone unnoticed.

As a son of the city of Kitwe, Jacob is perhaps giving back to the town that first received him.

Jacob celebrating after scoring for Zambia

"As government we really appreciate the role Jacob is playing. We realise that Zambia has produced many footballers who are playing abroad. But as Kitwe, we are proud of Jacob who has made an impact in the fight against cancer here," said Mwape Kasanda, Kitwe District Administrative Officer.

About K20, 000 donated by Jacob and other donors was spent to buy beds, bed sheets, flat screen TVs and several other assorted items which are now in a ward at the Kitwe Central Hospital which has since been adopted by CSNZ.

In the next few months, the Cancer Support Network with the help of its donors, is expected to adopt two more wards at the hospital.

This adoption will also add to the many other projects the organisation wants to embark on such as building a cancer hospital at Baluba area in Luanshya and conducting sensitisations on cancer in various communities across the Copperbelt.

Chingola's Mikiloni Compound Legalised, 2,000 Residents To Get Offer Letters

By Paul Shalala in Chingola

Mikiloni residents clearing a bush

They have called this place home for so many years.

But they have spent all their days here living in fear.

This is because Mikiloni Compound in Chingola is just ten meters away from an Open pit mine.

In shot it is an illegal settlement.

Over 2,000 people live in this illegal settlement.

The Chingola Municipal Council had planned to evict all the squatters from the compound and demolish it. 

But that was then........Today things have changed and there is a new development here.

Government has decided to legalise this settlement.

"Government, working with the local authority, has legalised Mikiloni compound. No one will be displaced. This is your land. Build your houses and live peacefully," said Joseph Katema who is area member of parliament as well as Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister when he addressed residents recently.

Mikiloni residents are happy with the development.

"We never had peace. We always thought we would never see this day. Thank God i will now have a title deed," shouted Jane Mwelwa who has lived in Mikiloni for 10 years. 

The local authority  in Chingola is a step ahead in legalizing the settlement. 

"Starting this month, all Mikiloni residents will start getting offer letters. Let them come to my office and we will facilitate everything," said Chingola Town Clerk George Mulenga.

Land in this area was given indiscriminately.

Some residents build on areas reserved for roads while others built on sewer lines.

The area councillor has issued a warning to those who disregarded the warning when building.

With the legalization of Mikiloni compound the delivery of social development will be enhanced in the area to improve people’s lives. 

Already new roads from Mikiloni to Maiteneke are being done.