By HELLEN TEMBO –
THE Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has urged stakeholders that decampaigned the referendum to advise their people to vote for the referendum as Government is reopening the process of holding another referendum.
YALI governance adviser Isaac Mwanza said all stakeholders that decampaigned the referendum during the last general elections should advise their supporters to vote for the referendum.
Mr Mwanza said this in an interview yesterday.
“The failing of the referendum is a lesson learnt. Some stakeholders contributed to the failing of the referendum and we don’t want to experience it now that Government is reopening the process of the referendum, because it is in national interest,” he said.
Mr Mwanza said YALI was happy that Government would look into the matter because it had been urging the Government to reopen the process of the referendum on the Bill of Rights.
He said the referendum was for the benefit of all Zambians, hence whether they would vote for yes or no, Zambians must vote because it was their right.
Mr Mwanza said Central Statistical Office and the Electoral Commission of Zambia should give information to people on who was eligible to vote.
He urged the Justice Minister Given Lubinda to consult stakeholders such as YALI and others to get advice aimed at fostering sustainable development.
Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) also welcomed the Government’s decision to reopen the process of the referendum.
ZCID programme office Doreen Ndhlovu said the referendum was highly politicised during the general election, now that it was a stand alone, people would be able to vote freely.
Ms Ndhlovu said the referendum was going to benefit every Zambian, hence it was a good thing that Government would reopen the process.