The NRM secretary General Kasule Lumumba says in a press statement copied to Radio simba.

“My office has received many concerns of from both the Public and the media the party’s position on members that may choose to run as independents after losing an election within the party structures. I therefore wish to clarify that ARTICLE 9 (2) ‘g’ of the NRM constitution enjoins all members to;

“Observe discipline, behave honestly and be loyal to the decisions of the majority of the

members of the organ where a member belongs and to the decisions of higher organs within

the structures of NRM.II”

In accordance with this article, a member breaches it when he/she goes independent after participating in the party primaries” kasule Lumumba adds.

She further quotes RULE4 (m, n & 0) of the Fourth Schedule of the party’s constitution (Code of

Conduct) bars any party member from campaigning or offering materials for a candidate sponsored by another party or organization and campaigning

against the official candidate of NRM.

Subsequently the penalty for such defiant members is DISMISSALfrom the party as spelt out in Rule 5(e) of the same Code of Conduct.

All NRM members are therefore advised to desist from intentional breach of these party rules she ephasises.

In 2010 the rulling party grapled with coming its own members who chose to constest as independent aspirants after they lost in the party primaries and todate such a gost still haunts NRM.

By Joshua Mutale