VJ backs creation of Electoral Court in Zambia

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has proposed that the creation of an Electoral Court which should be equal to the High Court and headed by a qualified Judge, should also have the capacity to concluded cases of electoral petitions within 90 days.

Mr. Mwaanga says he welcomes such an idea especially in view of what he has termed as unprecedented number of Parliamentary constituencies that have remained without representation due to prolonged cases of electoral petitions that are still before the courts.

Mr. Mwaanga however notes that such a proposal of an Electoral Court boils down to the need of a new constitution especially that the current constitution is one that has traits of a one party state as it was once amended during the time the country was being governed under one party rule.

He says this is why he finds demands for a new constitution even more genuine and that making any excuses for not enacting a new constitution should be only considered as petty.

The Retired veteran politician has told Qfm news that this is particularly that the final draft constitution which is expected to be enacted in the country’s new supreme law has been subjected to broad consultation among various stakeholders in the country.

He adds that the worry that holding a referendum on the final draft constitution does not follow as cooperating partners have already indicated their readiness to help fund the process.