Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe has confirmed that the new dawn government has made progress concerning the amendment of the Public Order Act (POA) and on about five out of the six key recommendations made by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM).
However, when asked to confirm if the enactment of political party’s bill is also under way, the Justice minister said “it is not amongst those we are aware of as being on the cards”. Haimbe added that it will be looked into but it is not amongst the current pieces of legislation being addressed.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Haimbe said the ammendment process which is under the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently going through a consensus driven process to take the next ideals from all stakeholders on the forms and content.
The 2021 European Union Election Observation Mission offered 22 recommendations for future electoral reforms based on observations, analysis and extensive discussion with a range of stakeholders and further highlighted six priority recommendations to help make the Zambia electoral process be in line with best international democratic principles.
The six recommendations that were made were (i) repealing of the Public Order Act in order to ensure law adherence to regional and international standards for freedom of assembly, movement and expression, (ii) Revision of candidacy requirements to enhance the right and the opportunity to stand by ensuring registration fees do not deter participation and are refundable, and removing educational requirements for the right to stand and (iii) to consider enacting a law on political parties stipulating registration requirements and guaranteeing internal party democracy, inclusivity, transparency and accountability, with adequate institutional oversight.
Other recommendations were (iv) removing from the law undue campaign privileges for the [incumbent] President and Vice-President to ensure equal campaign conditions for all candidates, enact a law on campaign finance including reporting requirements for political parties, candidates, and traditional and social media. (v) Income and expenditure reports have to be audited by a competent, independent body with investigative, sanctioning, and enforcement powers, (vi) Formalize cooperation between the ECZ, civil society and main social media platforms to develop an efficient mechanism ensuring transparency of online campaigning, including its financing and countering hate speech and disinformation.
The Minister further told ZBT that the approach of formalizing cooperation between the ECZ and other social media platforms is not just for the Ministry of Justice alone. He said there is a policy position that is being prepared from cabinet and government will be implementing the said policy position.
