DEMOCRATIC TENETS NEED TO BE GUARDED JEALOUSLY-NALUMANGO

Mutale Nalumango

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango has called for the need to jealously guard the country’s democratic tenants if political accountability was to be achieved.

And Ms Nalumango has hailed Zambian youths who constituted about 60 percent of the country’s population for their involvement in safe guarding the peace and democracy that had continued to prevail in the country.

Ms. Nalumango said democracy was cardinal for economic success to be recorded especially in developing countries like Zambia.

She also noted that democracy was the best way to handle conflicts when elections turned violent in several countries as solutions could easily be found when there was political will prevailing in the affected country.

Ms Nalumango said this in Lusaka when she officially opened the 7th National Youth Parliament to mark the International Day of Democracy.

She said the commemoration of the day was important as it reminded leaders on the need to emphasise on the importance of promoting democracy in every democratic society.

Ms. Nalumango also observed that the International Day of Democracy was of great importance as it challenged all stakeholders in the country to reflect on the political accountability of the country and on how links have been developed between Parliament and the Zambian people.

“Nothing can be considered as powerful and of key essence to development, peace and security as a consolidated democracy” she said

Doris Mwinga

And speaking at the same function, Clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwinga said the day was vital as it reminded world leaders that democracy deserved discussions and should not be considered simply a system to run a country.

Ms Mwinga however, expressed opportunism that the day would lead to raising awareness of the importance of promoting democracy among youths.

This year’s International Day of Democracy falls on the 15th September 2010 and would be celebrated under the theme “Political Accountability-Strengthening Links between Parliament and Citizens.