Controversy deepens over Chiluba third term

The top policy-making body of Zambia's ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) is to be asked to make a final decision on whether President Frederick Chiluba stands for a third five-year term in office, Associated Press reported. Chiluba's second term ends in the last quarter of this year. The constitution prohibits him from running again unless ruling party lawmakers amend it in parliament. Party spokesman Vernon Mwaanga, in a statement on Wednesday prompted by growing controversy over a possible third term, said only the party's executive committee was empowered to make a ruling on any action to be taken. All resolutions and petitions from a recent series of MMD provincial meetings and recommendations submitted by churches and civic groups will be weighed by the committee, Mwaanga said

Some party officials have warned the controversy could split the party, hurting its prospects in presidential and parliamentary elections that must be called by the end of this year. Though Chiluba has said he is planning to start a political studies institute when he steps down, his supporters, including district administrators he recently appointed, have been campaigning across the country for a constitutional amendment allowing him to continue in office. Some militants have called for the expulsion from the party of members who oppose a third term. Mwaanga said debate on the issue should be permitted to continue without harassment or intimidation. Party conferences in four of Zambia's eight provinces have supported an extension for Chiluba and a fifth, the Lusaka province, voted against him staying on. Militants demonstrated against the Lusaka vote on Tuesday and demanded province chairman Boniface Kawimbe resign his post.