Zitto gives three reasons for boycotting January by-elections in three constituencies, six wards

ACT Wazalendo has given three reasons for boycotting the January parliamentary by-elections in three constituencies and civic polls in six wards.

A statement issued on Sunday, December 17, by ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe mentions the reasons as the country’s unfair democratic space, little time available for mobilisation of financial resources and a need to concentrate on January parliamentary sessions.

Mr Kabwe said democratic freedom and processes in the country were not protected by the state and that the principles of democracy were consistently violated, both openly and secretly, noting that the previous by-elections in 43 wards demonstrated how democracy was in jeopardy.

“As the opposition party, we cannot knowingly participate in such a suspicious process, knowing that it will lead to flawed results. Therefore, as a matter of principle, we feel we have to refrain from participating in such a process and from legitimising it,” reads part of a statement availed to The Citizen.

According to him, apart from limited time for mobilising financial resources, the number of members and party supporters, who were harassed, arrested and assaulted during the November by-elections was alarmingly high and kept growing.

“The media rarely reports such ugly incidents and are not discussed adequately either. But, the truth is that we are under attack and being leaders of the opposition we cannot continue putting our people at risk for participating in the by-elections in which we will not be allowed to win in anyway,” reads part of the statement.

He said their decision was also prompted by their focus on scrutiny and mobilisation of members of the public against amendments to the Political Parties Act and the pension law to be tabled in Parliament in January.

“So, we have decided to boycott the January by-elections to focus on upcoming parliamentary sessions and aforementioned pieces of legislation,” reads the statement, adding: “We will utilise our time to mobilise workers through their trade unions for a just pension law and other opposition parties to reject the amendments that are meant to endorse a perpetual monolithic party system.”

ACT Wazalendo joins Ukawa, who last week announced to boycott the January by-elections to press for taking steps to rectify the irregularities that occurred in November 26, 2017 by-elections first.

The political parties forming Ukawa are Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, the Civic United Front (CUF), the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (Chaumma).

Read: Opposition threatens to boycott the January by-elections