MMD President Felix Mutati says by-elections should be stopped forthwith as they are a drain on national resources.

Mutati said to this effect, his party was pondering making submissions towards the current Constitutional Amendments.

Mutati, who said this as a directive to his National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda, who is also a nominated member of parliament, said money being wasted on by-elections was needed in other key sectors.

According to a statement from the MMD media team, Mutati was speaking in Monze during a meeting with MMD party officials from five Southern Province districts on Sunday.

Mutati also encouraged members remain hopeful because the party would bounce back in power.

He asked the members to help build the party and stay focused on growing the membership for a possible comeback.

“We have made mistakes in the past but never should we fall again. This is our time to unite, stay focused and be truthful to ourselves as a party. Further, there is need to refresh ourselves by conducting elections from the very bottom level to presidential. I will also be available to contest that election,” Mutati said.

He said as the “mother of democracy” in Zambian politics, anyone would be given an opportunity to contest any position at the 2020 party convention to be held in Kabwe, without intimidation or fear.

“We are a democratic party that allows anyone to enjoy their democratic right and we don’t want to go to court again over an election, twapenga (we’re tired)!” said Mutati.

Meanwhile, the MMD National Secretary Rapheal Nakacinda condemned some suspected UPND cadres who attempted to disrupt their meeting.

“So baya bantu mbatuma (those who have been sent) to come and disrupt our meeting should be condemned in the strongest terms,” said Nakacinda.

Earlier, Mutati and Nakacinda attended Monze Diocese Bishop His Lordship Moses Hamungole’s Silver Jubilee celebration of Priesthood and fundraising for a Cathedral construction on a five-hectare land offered to the church by government