• It is imperative that ECZ communicates its final position on the 2021 nomination fees.
• The final 2021 nomination fees released by ECZ were not well received.
• GPZ is still of the view that the last official announced nomination fees are too high.

A Political Party has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to state its final position on nomination fees for the August general elections.
Golden Party President Jackson Silavwe told Money FM News that it is important that the commission communicates its final position on the 2021 nomination fees taking into consideration concerns raised by stakeholders at the presidential summit.
Mr. Silavwe noted that during the Summit of Presidents convened by ECZ on 8th October, 2020, the Commission indicated that they will revert to the political parties regarding the 2021 nomination fees.
“Although democracy is expensive, Democracy must be for the people, by the people and the majority People must be able to afford it and enjoy it.”
“Going by the submissions by various political leaders that convened on 08th October, 2020 at Mulungushi Conference Centre, it was clear that the ‘final’ 2021 nomination fees released by ECZ were not well received,” Mr. Silavwe said.
He added that the party still feels the last official announced nomination fees are too high, hence disadvantaging many Zambians wishing to participate in the 2021 tripartite general elections.
Meanwhile, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has said the flashing of huge sums of money by some political cadres is tantamount to defiling the economy.
Party Vice President for Administration Sherry Thole stated that the trend of ordinary cadres flashing and sleeping on top of cash is making people lose confidence in the country’s currency.
Ms Thole, who is a former Bank of Zambia Director, further said due to the loss of confidence in the currency, it is contributing towards the continued depreciation of the Kwacha against foreign currencies.
She stressed the need for the Drug Enforcement Commission and Financial Intelligence Centre to institute investigations to establish the source of the millions circulating amongst cadres outside the banking system.
“Why is it that the authorities are not questioning them? What is the source of the funds that these people are literally stepping on like a carpet or a mattress? I think that they are defiling our currency and making people lose confidence in it.” Ms. Thole said lamented.