Maravi

There'll always be transparency in PF's electoral process - Chali
By Isaac Zulu in Kabwe
Mon 20 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT

THERE will always be transparency in the electoral adoption process in the Patriotic Front, says PF Central Province chairman Benson Chali.

Briefing the press in Kabwe on Friday afternoon after the PF Central Province executive committee interviewed aspiring candidates for the Katuba and Mkushi South parliamentary by-elections scheduled for February 25, Chali said the adoption process for the two seats had been transparent.

"The adoption process started at constituency level and we are now at provincial level. At this stage we have been assessing the aspiring candidates with a view to forwarding the names of the said candidates to the central committee. And I wish to state that at this stage, all aspiring candidates are eligible," he said.

"Throughout the adoption process we have ensured that there's transparency. You have seen for yourself the adoption process has been as transparent as possible. And there will always be transparency in the electoral adoption process in the Patriotic Front. We believe in democracy and transparency is cardinal in this respect."

And Chali has expressed optimism that the ruling party would scoop the two seats in next month's by-elections.

"We have interviewed 11 aspiring candidates for Katuba Constituency and all of them were articulate and I can confidently say that they are credible candidates," he said, without naming the candidates.

"For Mkushi South, we only had one aspiring candidate Davies Chisopa and that is the person we are going to field. I wish to state also that there were five ward councillors in Mkushi South that defected from the MMD and joined the PF. We are fielding these councillors...I am pretty sure that we are scooping the Mkushi South parliamentary seat. We have a credible candidate who can easily pull through. Similarly, looking at the aspiring candidates that we have in Katuba, I have no doubt at the back of my mind that we are taking the Katuba parliamentary seat."

Chali said all the PF aspiring candidates in constituencies where by-elections would take place would be subjected to further scrutiny by the PF central committee.

He added that PF aspiring candidates in Katuba Constituency had pledged to rally behind any individual that would be adopted by the ruling party's central committee.

"Like I said, they are all credible candidates," said Chali.

"But only one individual will be picked. What is gratifying is the fact that all aspiring candidates in Katuba Constituency have agreed to rally behind whoever will be finally adopted by the PF central committee."

PF's Chisopa had petitioned the election of MMD's Sydney Chisanga as Mkushi South member of parliament in the courts of law that resulted in the nullification of the Mkushi South parliamentary seat while the Katuba seat fell vacant following the death of MMD's Dr Patrick Chikusu.

Three women and eight men have applied to stand on the PF ticket in Katuba Constituency.

Labels: BENSON CHALI

posted by MrK @ 2:24 PM