Politics

Zambian electoral commission threatens to suspend campaigns for local elections

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2023

Zambia’s electoral commission (ECZ) has threatened to stop the political campaigns of Muchinda Ward of Serenje District in Central Province in which violence occurred.

A clash between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and Socialist Party led to violence on Saturday prompting the ECZ to warn all participating political parties that it would be compelled to invoke the provisions of the Electoral Process Act which include disqualification against erring political parties in the remaining days should these acts of violence continue.

The ECZ through a statement from its Corporate Affairs Manager, Patricia Luhanga, Sunday said from the time the campaigns started, the Commission had observed that the atmosphere had been peaceful throughout the three districts where by-elections are being held.

“It is, therefore, regrettable and worrying to start recording violence just a few days before the poll day. the Commission would like to remind all participating political parties in the by-elections that the Electoral Code of Conduct applies to this period of campaigns and must be adhered to without exception,” Luhanga said.

She added that the Commission had requested the ZambiaPolice Service to increase security in Muchinda Ward in order to restore law and order and that the Commission was aware that all instances of violence had been reported to them.

“The Commission further reminds all political parties’ leadership to prevail over their supporters to be peaceful in the conduct of campaigns, be tolerant and promote co-existence as these are some of the key ingredients of a maturing democracy,” Ms. Luhanga said.

The by-election which has been scheduled for April 20, 2023, was occasioned by the resignation of PF Councilor, Doris Ikona, who was also the Vice Council Chairperson for Serenje.

The Socialist Party (SP) candidate, Rodwell Kunda, and other top party candidates like PF’s Mike Chikubula, Leadership Movement’s Wezi Kaonga, and UPND’s Thomas Phiri are all pushing to replace Ikona.

Related Topics:Elections Featured Zambia

Click to comment

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.