As Economic Freedom Fighters-EFF, we would like to commend the UPND government for responding to our clarion call to confirm Mr. Patrick Kangwa as Secretary to the Cabinet. This is how government and opposition ought to work.
However, we are disappointed with the appointment Mrs.Mwangala Zaloumis as Chairperson ; Mr. Ali Simwinga as a Vice Chairperson ; and Mr. MacDonald Chipenzi as Commissioner of Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ.
To start with, the conduct of ECZ in the past Kwacha and Kabushi by-elections under the leadership of Mr. Ali Simwinga is one that drains public confidence while he presided over those by- elections as Chairperson. He demonstrated lack of strength and leadership for the position including the current position, Vice Chairperson appointed. The by-elections were a sham and still remain so to inspire public confidence in future elections under his leadership . The appointment, actually confirms any speculations of political engineering of the decision that characterized the way forward to Kwacha and Kubushi by-elections.
On Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis, her direct affiliation to the UPND political party projects a biased image that renders the office bearer compromised.A public officer for such a position are expected to exhibit neutrality in political party affiliation. It is for this reason, past officer bearers for that position have always been held by judges to instill public confidence.
As for Mr. MacDonald Chipenzi, the man does not fit such public position owing to his very strong political affiliation to the UPND party.
Our expectations of President Hakainde Hichilema has really failed short. As EFF, we highly anticipated a better Electoral Commission of Zambia considering some of the misconduct exhibited by the previous commission that had a direct bearing on him and his party in the 2015 and 2016 general elections. As EFF party, we were eagar to see professionalism in the appointment of office bearers that would bring the real transformation to the institution. However, having appointmented these, we are most likely to see degeneration. Even the little progress that was made will be eroded.
We therefore, appeal to the President to reconsider his appointment and look for people that will win public confidence.
Whatever we want to go, our feet shall take us there.
Changala Siame
Secretary General of the Economic Freedom Fighters -EFF party.
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