The Patriotic Front (PF) says it does not support the upward adjustment of nomination fees announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
The ruling party said the move would hinder citizens’ participation in electoral processes and therefore does not support the move.
In a statement signed by the party’s Secretary general Davies Mwila, PF said it stands against the idea by the country’s electoral body.
“As a militant organisation of revolutionary peasants, workers and intellectuals that believes in equitable participation in the affairs of our nation by all citizens regardless of socio-economic status, the Patriotic Front wishes to register its strongest displeasure with the proposed upward revision of nomination fees as recently announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia,” said the party.
The party added that the proposed upward revision is not only elitist, but it would also be tantamount to the commercialisation of participation in democratic processes where the destiny of the majority “have nots” is hijacked by a minority “haves”.
PF said it remains committed to the participation and representation in democratic processes of youth, women and differently abled persons as a matter of right and not privilege.
“We support their proportional representation in Parliament as proposed under Bill 10, and we further call for lower nomination fees in order to maximize involvement of the youth, women and differently abled persons in running the affairs of the nation,” added the party.
The party highlighted that in order to safeguard the country’s democracy, it calls for downward adjustment instead, adding that Zambia must not be put up for auction to the highest bidder.