Alliance for Democracy (Aford), has said it will not hold its convention this year arguing that the party leaders are rebuilding the party.
Aford Secretary General, Christopher Ritchi, told The Daily Times on Wednesday that the party aims at bringing back members who dumped it to join other political parties.
He said some of the leaders that were elected during their controversial indaba in 2014, dumped the party and joined People’s Party (PP) while others are no longer active in politics.
“People should bear with us because we feel it will not be democratic to hold a convention this year. We feel it is not good to invite the same people at the convention and also same people contesting in different positions. That is why we say let us rebuild the party and then hold a convention,” Ritchi said.
However, Social Commentator, Moses Mkandawire, said that political parties need no excuses to break their own constitutions.
Mkandawire observed that parties that follow democratic principles abide by their constitutions and avoid flouting them for fear of dispersing their followers.
“Some people lose trust in their leaders if the leaders show no interest to hold conventions because supporters believe the leaders are clinging to their positions,” he said.
However, Ritchi said Aford is democratic and flouting its constitution under uncontrollable circumstances can be accepted by its diehards.
He said as part of the rebuilding process, the party is selling membership cards and is now targeting its members in diaspora.
Recently, a group calling itself Friends of Aford, wrote their President, Enock Chihana, asking him to call for a convention.
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