A Number of people on Wednesday evening walked out from the presidential candidates’ debate at Mulungushi International Conference Centre due to what some said was low level articulation of issues by some candidates.
The disappointed members of the audience trooped out several minutes into the debate that featured Tilyenji Kaunda of UNIP, Dan Pule of Christian Democratic Party, Ludwig Sondashi of the Forum for Democratic Alternatives and Eric Chanda of the Fourth Revolution.
The presidential debate held at Mulungushi Conference Centre by Muvi Television had a handful of attendees, with those who walked out labelling it a “comedy”.
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes executive director, Boniface Cheembe, said the presidential debate was a positive stride but complained that the presidential candidates failed to give proper responses to questions posed by the audience or the moderator.
University of Zambia Student Union representative, who walked out during the first session, said the presidential candidate’s level of debate was not inspiring.
“As UNZASU, we think the debate was non-inspiring and to think the people debating are aspiring for the job of president is very disappointing. They could not explain themselves neither did they address tangible issues. Instead it was a stand-up comedy,” said UNZASU vice-president Martin Ndundwe.
“We understand that it is democracy but being of age and having 200 supporters cannot be the only criteria; we feel educational levels and articulation need to be embedded in the laws because if the international community listened to our debaters yesterday (Wednesday evening), they are probably laughing at us,” he said.
And CSO-SUN national coordinator, William Chilufya, said the candidates did not understand issues that affect Zambians and thus failed to debate on matters that mattered to the people.
“They only have an idea and thus they failed to market themselves. The presidential aspirants need to invest in research so that they can update their manifestos and really understand what people are crying for,” Chilufya said.
During the debate, Tilyenji said if elected Republican president next Tuesday, he would adequately address corruption because it had escalated so much from the time his party was in power.
He said he would ensure that public servants do not abuse their offices as was the case when his father was president [Kenneth Kaunda].
And Reverend Pule said he would empower the Anti-Corruption Commission because the institution as it stood was also corrupt.
He said he would elevate senior and paramount chiefs to the title of king.
He said he would give them more power because in their current state, they were undermined.
But Dr Sondashi, who complained about the time allotted for their debates, said elevating chiefs to kings would have no impact to the Zambian economy or governance system.
He said instead, he would work at reducing presidential powers and decentralising it to chiefs by ensuring that they were given back the power over land.
He said his government would encourage every Zambian to grow at least one hectare of grain to beat food insecurity.
And Chanda emphasised that economic management was Zambia’s biggest problem.
He said Zambia needed to get into a fifty-fifty economic management arrangement with foreign investors.
Chanda said Zambia needed to gain control of its economy and not allow foreign investors to dictate it.