By Isaac Zulu
Lawyer Howard Kunda says there is no legal provision that mandates the Chief Register of Societies to compel political parties to hold their conventions within 60days.
And Advocates for People’s Prosperity leader Mwenya Musenge has advised the Chief Registrar of Societies to engage all political players in the country before arriving at such abrupt decisions.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, Kunda who is also Zambia Wake Up Party (ZAWAPA) leader and former MMD Muchinga member of parliament, said his political party will only comply with the directive for the holding of a national convention, if the Chief Registrar categorically states, which legal provision in the Registrar of Societies Act prescribes that all political parties should go for their respective conventions within a stipulated timeframe.”
He explained that each political party has different dates of registration and, as such, have different dates on which to hold their respective national convention, wondering how all political organisations would hold their national conferences within 60 days; as stipulated in the circular issued by the Chief Registrar of Societies.
“And in our case, as ZAWAPA, we had and still have our 10 office bearers, as provided for under the Registrar of Societies Act, upon registration. Furthermore, our party was registered in May, 2022 and our party Constitution provides that we hold our national convention in 2025. They accepted our office bearers and party Constitution upon registration, and one wonders how they want to be forcing political parties to be going for national conventions,” Kunda said.
He said his party would challenge the decision by the Chief Registrar of Societies.
And Musenge said it is not feasible for any political organisation to convene a national convention, promptly; without facing financial challenges.
He said the UPND administration wants to eliminate all political parties in the country using State institutions, adding that this is a scheme to destroy multiparty democracy.
“I know the current Chief Registrar of Societies because I once worked closely with her. She observes ethical issues in the discharge of her duties. So it would not be wrong for one to say that there’s an invisible hand in this operation. And my appeal is that the Registrar of Societies should engage all political players in the country before arriving at such a decision. Alternatively, they should rescind that decision, which is coming from an invisible hand, and engage in meaningful dialogue with all political players before effecting such a decision,” said Musenge.
The political leader who once served as Chimwemwe member of parliament and Copperbelt minister, said UPND administration wants to use public institutions to micromanage opposition political parties with a view to revert Zambia to a “One Party State.”
