By STEVEN ZANDE –
ATTORNEY General Likando Kalaluka has said that the grade 12 certificate requirement for political office aspirants is necessary for the purpose of consolidating the dignity of politics in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalaluka has defended the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to increase nomination fees across the field of candidates as conducting a general election demands a huge budget.
Mr Kalaluka said the grade 12 certificate clause was part of what the Zambian people wanted in the amended Constitution.
He was speaking when he featured on a Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation television programme Sunday Interview.
“If there are any misunderstandings about the clause, then the public should come forward and present their concerns to relevant officers. I think that the Examinations Council of Zambia should also consider explaining to the public what constitutes a grade 12 certificate or its equivalent to avoid misunderstandings,” Mr Kalaluka said.
He said the revision of nomination fees for candidates wishing to contest presidential, parliamentary and ward positions was a preserve of the ECZ which had projected expenditure on the elections.
Mr Kalaluka said dissatisfied parties should dialogue with the Commission on the way forward.
“I believe that with sufficient representation, the political parties can seek redress from the ECZ.
“I believe that it is not an individual who pays the fees but political parties, and political parties cannot fail to raise the K75,000 nomination fee for a presidential candidate,” he said.
On the 50 per cent plus-one clause for a presidential victory, Mr Kalaluka said the law would ensure that Zambia had a president elected by the majority of the people.
He said with the clause in place, Zambia would have a president who would be elected by a popular vote.
“I do not think the 50 plus-one threshold for presidential candidates is meant to bar certain political players; it is just a matter of proving the legitimacy of a president,” Mr Kalaluka said.