Zambian parliament passes electoral law

LUSAKA – Zambia’s parliament has passed a controversial new electoral law ahead of general elections this year, prompting opposition MPs to walk out in protest.

“After the vote, the bill has effectively been adopted at second reading”, the parliament’s speaker Amussa Mwanamwambwa said. The opposition did not take part in the vote.Two weeks ago, 22 opposition parties, along with churches and civic groups issued a joint statement asking for the withdrawal of the bill.”The bill is at best cosmetic and aimed at hoodwinking the Zambian people that the forthcoming elections will be held under a new electoral law,” read the text.The opposition wanted the law to include a requirement that a presidential candidate could only be declared the winner after receiving more than 50 per cent of the vote.If he received less support, a second round of voting should be held.Under the current law, the candidate with the most votes becomes president, regardless of whether he received more than 50 per cent of the vote.The new electoral law also empowers the president – and not the electoral commission – to set the election date.Under the proposed law, transparent ballot boxes will be used and committees will be established to deal with disputes during the polls.Mwanawasa is seeking a second term in the elections, in which voters will also choose new members of parliament and representatives to local governments.No date has been announced for the polls.- Nampa-AFPThe opposition did not take part in the vote.Two weeks ago, 22 opposition parties, along with churches and civic groups issued a joint statement asking for the withdrawal of the bill.”The bill is at best cosmetic and aimed at hoodwinking the Zambian people that the forthcoming elections will be held under a new electoral law,” read the text.The opposition wanted the law to include a requirement that a presidential candidate could only be declared the winner after receiving more than 50 per cent of the vote.If he received less support, a second round of voting should be held.Under the current law, the candidate with the most votes becomes president, regardless of whether he received more than 50 per cent of the vote.The new electoral law also empowers the president – and not the electoral commission – to set the election date.Under the proposed law, transparent ballot boxes will be used and committees will be established to deal with disputes during the polls.Mwanawasa is seeking a second term in the elections, in which voters will also choose new members of parliament and representatives to local governments.No date has been announced for the polls.- Nampa-AFP