By SAM PHIRI –

TEN political parties have successfully paid their presidential nomination fees either in full or partly in readiness for the August 11 general elections.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Esau Chulu announced at a stakeholders’ meeting for aspiring presidential candidates attended by President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka yesterday that out of the 10, only two had paid the nomination fees in full.
He named the two political parties as the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
“The other eight political parties have paid 50 per cent of the nominations fees and these are Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Green Party, Democratic Assembly, People’s Alliance for Change, United National Independence Party, United Progressive People, Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), and Rainbow Party,” he said.
Mr Justice Chulu said the pre-processing of the supporters for the aspiring presidential candidates took place from Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, 2016.
He said all was set for the commencement of the filing in of nominations tomorrow.
“I would like to say from the onset that even though some of you may be familiar with the nominations process, it is still important that they are reminded of what is expected of you on that day,” he said.
Mr Justice Chulu reminded the nominees that they would be required to fill in the appropriate documentation which includes nomination papers, statutory declaration of assets, and proof of full payments of a non–refundable nomination fee, among other requirements.
He called on the political party leaders to advise their members to ensure that they abide by the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct and other laws.
And PF secretary general Davies Chama said the ruling party was happy that all the requirements outlined by the ECZ were within what the ruling party had planned.
He said the PF was ready in all aspects including the announcing of the presidential running mate which he said was still a puzzle for other political parties.
“We are satisfied and I can assure you that we are going into this election fully prepared and we are winning it in the very first round,” he said.
FDD leader Edith Nawakwi complained of high nomination fees for presidential and parliamentary candidates stating that it was a deliberate move by the Government to disadvantage other parties like hers.
She appealed to the ECZ to reconsider changing the nomination dates if possible to allow some changes in the nomination fees.