NAREP welcomes ECZ proposal for increase seats

The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has commended the Electoral commission of Zambia (ECZ) for proposing to increase the number of constituencies from 150 to 235.

NAREP Lusaka District Vice Chairman Frank Sichone says the move should not only be attributed to the new districts that have being created but also to the increased population in the country.

Mr Sichone said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the size of the current constituencies are so big resulting in area members of parliament failing to meet the needs of all their electorates.

She said in this regard, the increase in number of seats will enable more Zambians have access to basic needs through the constituency development funds and in any other means.

Mr Sichone has since appealed to government to support the move and increase budgetary allocation for the exercise to be achieved.

He further called on government to speed up the process of paying suppliers for goods and services delivered.

Mr Sichone stated that it has come to the attention of NAREP that government, being the major player the country’s economy, takes more than 30 days required for them to pay suppliers.

He said this is affecting many businesses as access to capital is difficult in the country, adding that the situation has affected many company’s liquidity.

He said government should not only prioritize payments for construction projects going on such as roads, universities among others but should equally pay for other services on time.

Mr Sichone noted that without speedy payments to suppliers, the growth of companies in the nation and the growth of the economy will negatively be affected.

The ECZ recently called for increased number of parliamentary seats after government’s initiative to open up more districts in the country.