Category "Election"

11th April 2021

We would like to ‘congratulate’ our colleagues in the PF for successfully holding their virtual convention in peaceful atmosphere.

We take note of public outcry that the PF convention ushered in their Central Committee without casting a single vote. We also note that the youths and women were largely left out of the newly appointed PF leadership and there is no regional balancing, something very worrying especially that they are a ruling party.

But we recognise that just like our party, the PF is a mere club with its own rules and aspirations and they can decide to do what they want in accordance with their desires. It is up to the Zambian people to choose a political party that is truly uniting and offers the best policies.

With majority of the political parties now having held their conventions, we look forward to having a peaceful campaign period devoid of hate language and violence. We should offer the Zambian people positive messages of what we intend to do in alleviating poverty and hunger ravaging the country.

We have released our vision for the country through our manifesto which we launched on Friday. We now look forward to the PF and all other political parties to release and debate their manifestos instead of  character assassinations.

Patrick Mucheleka
UPND Deputy Secretary General

Manifesto Launch Speech 9th April 2021

The Manifesto will be available on the UPND website tomorrow 10th April 2021 at 09:00 AM.

07-04-2021

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…as party writes to ECZ over August General elections road map

United Party for National Development (UPND)  Elections Chairperson, Garry Nkombo says the party has postponed the date for Parliamentary and Local Government adoptions.

The Party had earlier set  April 10th for the adoption process but has moved, the date  to 12th of this month.

Mr Nkombo said UPND has since  written to the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ-over the August 12th elections road map.

Addressing the Press at the Party Secretariat this morning, Mr Nkombo stressed that the engagement, which is sought tomorrow is aimed at addressing the “mischief” surrounding the eligibility criteria set out in the Electoral Processes Act.

He stated that the manner in which the EPA was framed falls short of the standards for curing the eligibility mischief.

“The way the law (eligibility) was framed, does not cure the mischief that one ought to have been a member of a
political party for 2 months before that election date. We are going to engage ECZ , hopefully if they give us a slot tomorrow in order to deal with that particular aspect and to reduce the confusion that law sought to address,” said Nkombo.

On the adoption date, Mr Nkombo stated that calls from the Church on the use of days of worship (Saturdays and Sundays) by religious groups had necessitated the postponement of the date for the commencement of the adoption process.

He also clarified that the adoptions were for both Ward Councillors, Mayors, Council Chairpersons and Members of Parliament.

He also appealed to those who wished to defect of they were not adopted to think of leave “now”.

He stated that the Party would not take kindly to members who would style themselves as sole candidates in particular wards and constituencies.

UPND MEDIA TEAM

6th April 2021

Audio

We have noted a growing trend where the PF are behaving like a boxer who declares they are winning a contest by tying the hands and legs of their opponents in the boxing ring.

We have also noted a heightened PF propaganda machinery abusing state owned Zambia National Broadcast Corporation  (ZNBC) where they are daily parading huge numbers of fake defectors from the UPND to join PF. This is an exhibition of desperation, insecurity and lack of confidence for a party that claims so called unprecedented popularity.

And while they are freely holding their mobilisation meetings around the country, our space is being tightened as our members keep on being blocked and arrested by the police for carrying out party activities around the country.

Just yesterday, a lot of our people were arrested in Eastern Province for merely sensitising citizens to verify their voters registration details as demanded by the Electoral Commission of Zambia  (ECZ).

Media houses are also getting scared to host our members as PF thugs are attacking radio stations and intimidating media personnel who host opposition political party officials.

Zambians should not be intimidated by allowing the PF to create a more repressive regime than they have already done so far.

It’s not a secret that senior PF leaders are on record of  saying they wanted to create a one party state in Zambia.

In fact, had it not been the resilience and strength of the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his team, by now PF would have managed to cripple and whip all citizens into accepting a one party dictatorship.

PF have so far created an environment where if one does not support them, they are basically regarded as outcasts who don’t deserve any form of opportunities. To lure the people into submission, they have dished out cash to those who want immediate benefits and financial relief especially with the damaged economy now.

We call on citizens not to be duped and bullied by PF corruption money and propaganda using state institutions such as ZNBC and other private surrogate  media outlets

Go and get your money which they have been stealing from you and use it for temporal relief, but let’s all gang up and boot them out for a better economic programme that favours everyone. The water melon strategy must now be in full operation.

Patrick Mucheleka
UPND Deputy Secretary General

05/04/2021

Former United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia(UPPZ) Spokesperson Francis Kope says is not going to stand as Parliamentary candidate on any political party but will campaign for UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.

Addressing journalists  at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr  Kope revealed  that he has been contacted by many political parties and the grassroots to contest as a Member of Parliament.

“I will not contest on any Parliamentary seat in the forthcoming general elections,  but campaign  for President Hakainde  Hichilema because he has proved that he is committed to serve the people of Zambia.” said Mr Kope.

He told journalists that  for the past one month he has been receiving requests that he stands as Parliamentary candidate from many political parties and the people on the ground particularly Kanyama, Chilanga and Mansa Central among other Constituencies.

“Am not contesting but l will campaign for UPND President Hakainde Hichilema whom the Zambian people want to govern the country.” said Mr Kope

Being a candidate in a particular Constituency  can limit me to campaign for change.

This is not time for selfish interests but time to serve the people of Zambia.

As a Patriotic citizen I have joined hands with the citizens to ensure that a credible leader with a vision of serving the interests of the people wins elections.

He further says that Zambian politics today must be redefined and have people in leadership who must be servants to the people.

And Mr Kope also a Communication expert says, he will hit on the ground across the country and campaign with the structures and much more to appreciate the sufferings and misery of the Zambian people.

Meanwhile, Mr Kope  urged political parties to adopt candidates based on merit for real positive change because the country’s economy has collapsed.

Adding that Zambia needs a credible leadership such as that of President Hichilema which will respect the rule of law.

” Zambia now need a  tough and tasted leaders with a heart  to rebuild and reunite Zambia while making lives better.” said Mr Kope.

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Lusaka~5th March  2021.

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A consortium of United Party for National Development (UPND) youths from the country’s ten provinces resolved that any manoeuvre by PF government to remove HH from the ballot will be met with serious consequences.

The consortium, which comprises of  UPND provincial youth chairpersons from Luapula, Northern, Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Western, North Western and Eastern provinces told journalists in Lusaka this morning that plans to arrest Mr Hichilema by the PF would be met with full force.

Lyson Nyirenda, who’s Eastern Province Youth Chairperson accused the PF-led Government, told journalists that the UPND was aware of manoeuvres to try and implicate Mr Hichilema so that he doesn’t successfully file in his nominations papers next month.

He warned that there would be no elections if Mr Hichilema is deliberately not allowed to appear on the ballot, adding that whoever touches Mr Hichilema touches every Zambian.

“We people in the East are very unfortunate because we have the President,  Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services  and the infrastructure Development Minister  who all hail from the east  yet we are very impoverished with poor road network.
We’ve had enough hate from PF ” he charged.

In echoing Mr Nyirenda, UPND National Youth Chairperson, Gilbert Liswaniso says youths in UPND are more than ready to bite the bullet, adding that the party’s youths had resolved to stand by President Hichilema and ensure that he is ushered into state house courtesy of the Zambian people.

Lusaka Province UPND Youth Chairperson, Anderson Banda, says the PF will democratically because Zambians have suffered enough.

He said that UPND has been closely monitoring the manoeuvres and schemes of the PF to implicate Mr Hichilema and prevent him from appearing on the 2021 ballot.

In his submissions, Luapula UPND Youth Chairperson, Nelson  Kalembwe warned that arresting HH on flimsy grounds would lead to wide spread chaos in the country.

He also called on the PF to build more more prisons if they wanted to proceed with their plans to bar him from appearing on the 2021 Presidential ballot.

Milner Mwanakampwe, who is the Central UPND Youth Chairperson, charged that the ECZ’s biased handling of the elections and disregard for the Electoral  processes has the potential to bleed anarchy.

“Not handling the electoral process properly has the potential to bleed anarchy.

We are also giving the Police IG 24 hours to release those who are unjustly held in police cells.

We are aware that  the continued holding of the four officials is aimed at accusing HH so that he is  barred from contesting the forthcoming polls.

This follows statements that from PF leaders and officials  that a Tonga will never rule while some say HH will never rule.

We wish to call on the PF  leadership that going for HH is not the noblest of things for him to do if he wants the country to be safe,” he said.

Northwestern Province Youth Chairperson, Bruce Kanema, Western Province, Jack Mwanga, Muchinga Youth Chairperson, Brown Simbeye and Paul Mulenga of Northern Province were among the youth leaders who attended the briefing.

UPND MEDIA TEAM

 

LIVINGSTONE – 04/04/21

Audio –

UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says the party is overwhelmed with the number of adoption applications received from across the country at all levels of representation.

Addressing journalists in Livingstone this morning, Mr Mweetwa said all districts across the country have received applications from those who want to serve on UPND ticket as Councilors, Council Chairpersons, Mayors and Members of parliament.

“ This clearly indicates that Zambians are confident that, UPND brings with it a credible leadership that will pay attention to their plight something which the PF have failed to do,” said Mr Mweetwa.

He howewer said the huge number of applicants can also be a double edged sword depending on the management of adoptions and reactions of those who will not be adopted.

“Fellow applicants, only one candidate will be picked, we need to prepare ourselves as  no drama is expected from those of us who will not be adopted, don’t use your lost status to leave the party, better leave now, “ said Mr Mweetwa.

He appealed to all aspiring candidates to prepare themselves for any outcome and avoid bringing confusions as only one candidate will be picked.

“ Let us all be principled, if you want to lead you must also be ready to be led by others, to our officials be fair, allow everyone to campaign freely , there should be no favouritism, no vote buying, let the people’ s choice prevail,” said Mr Mweetwa.

Meanwhile Mr Mweetwa has appealed to the Police to allow all political players to interact just like they have allowed the Patriotic Front to go on with rallies and campaigning.

“ Let us stand and move, mobilise and campaign please do not forget to abide by the COVID-10  health guidelines, police as custodians of the law are expected to apply the law fairly, justly and judiciously,” said Mr Mweetwa.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM