Zambia Council for Social Development executive director Lewis Mwape says the Political Parties Bill is a devil crowned with angelic appearance.

In a statement today, Mwape, who listed some of the bills government should have prioritised, observed that stakeholder consultations were merely legitimizing the evil.

“We are with the view that Government should have prioritized bills that could fix Governance and development landscape and in this case we expected, 1. Access to Information Bill, 2. Budget and Planning Bill and 3. Public Finance Managed Bill more especially deal with debt Contraction to be approved or ratified by Parliament. Political party Act would be a Devil which is being crowned with angelic appearance and our participation as Stakeholders is merely legitimizing this evil,” Mwape stated.

He stated that political party funding by the state was not feasible.

“The Political Parties seem to be more interested in funding aspects which is not likely to be adequate as the country’s economy is not good enough to adequately support Political entities, mean that the law will be strong and applicable to disclosure of sources funding which will be a source of victimizing those who are currently supporting Political Parties both Ruling and opposition. We urge Political Parties to open their eyes and see beyond merely receiving free money from government but also look at how regulation of Political Parties would promote democracy and good governance or birthing a new era of Political System that will curtail innovation but also scares those who contribute to Political Parties,” stated Mwape.

“Attitude of those who take up leadership as a ruling party is still not mature as they pursue opponents and their allies with a strong hand and with intention to wipe out opposition. This law is therefore expected or likely to be abused and reduce the vibrancy of Political parties. We encourage Political Parties to resolve pertinent issues at this stage and advise Ministry of Justice to be open minded and think of a day when the current ruling party will be in opposition.”