Zambians have no confidence in politics

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) says Zambians have lost confidence in the country’s political parties and political process.

ZCID Executive Director Horrance Chilando said the lack of confidence was demonstrated in the just ended presidential election characterized by unprecedented voter apathy.   Mr Chilando attributed the low voter turn-out to citizens being tired of being lied to and failure of the political system to meet their aspirations.

He noted that political parties had weakened as a result of on-going political squabbles, tensions, violence and misunderstandings that engulfed the country following the death of President Michael Sata.   Mr Chilando said there is need to strengthen the political framework for the development of political parties and inter-party dialogue.

In a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Chilando has proposed the formation of a national democratic project that will strengthen political parties as pillars of a functioning multiparty democratic dispensation.   He said the democracy project will also provide a platform for national dialogue and engagement.  Mr Chilando regretted that stakeholders have been dragging their feet over the project and hoped that the new administration will consider implementing it.