POLITICAL ANALYSTS REJECT HAMUDUDU’S TWO-PARTY SYSTEM PROPOSAL

POLITICAL ANALYSTS REJECT HAMUDUDU’S TWO-PARTY SYSTEM PROPOSAL By Elesani Phiri Veteran politician and political analyst Akashambatwa Lewanika says the dominance of two political parties in Zambia’s successive elections is not a justification for abandoning the multi-party political system. This follows remarks by UPND Alliance member Highvie Hamududu, who has called for Zambia to move away […]

POLITICAL ANALYSTS REJECT HAMUDUDU’S TWO-PARTY SYSTEM PROPOSAL

By Elesani Phiri

Veteran politician and political analyst Akashambatwa Lewanika says the dominance of two political parties in Zambia’s successive elections is not a justification for abandoning the multi-party political system.

This follows remarks by UPND Alliance member Highvie Hamududu, who has called for Zambia to move away from multi-party politics towards a system dominated by two major political parties.

Mr. Lewanika has told Phoenix News that citizens must remain free to form, join and support political parties of their choice, regardless of which parties dominate elections.

He says the multi-party system cannot be blamed for voters’ preference for two major political parties, as citizens remain free to establish and participate in other political parties.

Mr. Lewanika has challenged proponents of a two-party system to explain the specific problem they are seeking to address before calling for changes to Zambia’s political system.

He has also questioned arguments that Zambia could eventually become a one-party state, saying such a development should not be presented as a solution to the fact that voters have consistently supported two dominant political parties.

Meanwhile, political historian Professor Bizeck Phiri has dismissed assertions that Zambia is gradually moving towards a two-party state, saying the dominance of two major political parties is a recurring feature of the country’s political history.

In an interview with Phoenix News, Professor Phiri says Zambia has historically had several political parties, but only two have generally emerged as the dominant players in national politics and Parliament.

PHOENIX NEWS