NGOCC Board Chairperson Sara Longwe has called on all political parties to conduct issue-based politics, devoid of character assassination and violence, as the by-election campaign kicks-off in Chilanga.

And Longwe congratulated both the ruling PF and opposition UPND for adopting female candidates to contest for the Chilanga parliamentary by-election.

In a statement, Longwe appealed to all participating political parties to conduct issue-based politics, devoid of character assassination and violence, ahead of the Chilanga parliamentary by-election slated for June 6.

“We call upon all the participating political parties to conduct issue-based politics, devoid of character assassination and violence as the campaign kick-starts in Chilanga. Political parties should compete on the basis of ideologies and not character assassination or violence,” Longwe stated in a press release issued, Wednesday.

And Longwe congratulated both the ruling PF and opposition UPND for adopting female candidates to contest for the Chilanga parliamentary by-election.

“The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) would like to congratulate the two major political parties the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) for adopting women as candidates in the forthcoming Chilanga parliamentary by-elections slated for June 6th 2018. The PF has adopted Ms. Maria Langa, while the UPND has adopted Ms. Charmaine Musonda as candidates for the by-election,” stated Longwe.

“As the women’s movement, we have been deeply concerned by the systematic discrimination of women from participating in decision-making, especially politics. We are, therefore, elated that the two major political parties have adopted women as candidates. Whichever way, therefore, we are hopeful that the number of women will increase in Parliament after this by-election.”