Defections bad for democracy - FODEP

Defections bad for democracy - FODEP
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Mon 30 Jan. 2012, 13:58 CAT

FOUNDATION for Democratic Process information, research and publicity chairperson Isaac Ngoma says the recent defections of people from the opposition to the ruling party weigh down democratic principles and erode the value of checks and balances.

In a statement, Ngoma observed that defections especially among elected officials such as councillors and members of parliament were necessitating costly by-elections at the expense of development. He urged all development-oriented Zambians to condemn the unnecessary by-elections being caused by defectors.

"The recent political defections from the opposition to the ruling party weighs down the principle of democracy and takes away the value of checks and balances that the opposition is expected to provide in a growing democracy like Zambia," Ngoma stated.

"Although these individuals have a democratic right to ditch one political party in preference to another, this should not develop into a culture where politicians resign just because they want to associate themselves with a ruling party."

Ngoma wondered whether some of the defectors really believed in the fundamental principles of the political parties they belonged to only four months ago.

He urged Zambians to reprimand what he termed ‘rolling' politicians when re-adopted to ensure that only people with integrity and passion to serve the public rose to political offices.

"As the situation stands, FODEP foresees more costly by-elections coming in the country at the expense of development. It is saddening to note that while the government is preaching cost-saving measures, some people consciously are taking democracy for granted by causing otherwise avoidable by-elections," stated Ngoma.

He said resources that were being spent on by-elections could be channelled towards alleviating poverty among the many million Zambians living under abject poverty.

Ngoma appealed to Zambians to critically scrutinise politicians that seemed to have reduced politics into a cheap commodity.