Pro-democracy group urges political parties to uphold internal democracy ahead of Zambia’s August polls

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Chifuwe also urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to enforce strict adherence to democratic norms and disqualify any political party that failed to conduct credible intra-party elections before submitting presidential nominations. He stressed that internal party democracy remained fundamental to the country’s wider democratic integrity. Addressing allegations that some parties intend to bar unsuccessful aspirants from contesting as independents, Chifuwe said such measures would contravene constitutional rights.

“Constitutional rights cannot be curtailed by any individual or political party authority,” he said, noting that Articles 51 and 70 of the Constitution guaranteed the right to contest elections, subject to established qualifications. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR