VEEP defends Lungu branded books distribution

THERE is nothing wrong with the distribution of books bearing the portrait of President Edgar Lungu, Vice President Inonge Wina has told Parliament.

And Ms Wina said it is high time Zambians trusted that the Government printing department will have the capacity to print the 2021 ballot papers.

Responding to questions during the Vice President’s question time, Mrs Wina said President Lungu’s portrait is displayed in public offices and so there is nothing wrong with books to have his picture.

Mrs Wina said it beats her understanding why a Member of Parliament could complain about books meant for vulnerable pupils just because they have a portrait of the Head of state.

Mrs Wina said the books will continuously be distributed in Government schools bearing portraits of President Lungu and there was nothing wrong.

The Vice President was responding to a question by UPND Katuba Member of Parliament Patricia Mwashingwele who wanted to know if Central Province permanent secretary Chanda Kabwe was in order to distribute books bearing President Lungu’s portrait to pupils in Katuba. “President Lungu is the President of the Patriotic Front and he is also the President of the Republic of Zambia. His portrait hangs in our offices and everywhere and you don’t complain,” Ms Wina said.

She was responding to a question by UPND Senanga Central MP Mukumbuta Mulowa who wanted to know what other electoral reforms will be instituted to grow democracy in view of the fact that the 2021 ballot papers will be printed locally.

And the Patriotiuc Front (PF) says the decision by Government to print locally, ballot papers for the 2021 general elections is timely and very pro- gressive for it will result in revenue savings and creation of jobs.

PF deputy media director, Antonio Mwanza.says the savings would be injected in the productive sector of the economy to enhance social mobility of the people of Zambia.

“Jobs for young people who will be created in the printing department, procurement, security and supply of various sundries required to print ballot papers; even IT specialists will be employed to provide the match needed designs and security features,” Mr Mwanza said.

He explained that the ballot papers for the last elections were printed at a collosal sum of $3.8 million.

He said this figure did not include other costs such as transport and security. “This staggering amount could have gone a long way in uplifting the social and economic conditions of hundreds of thousands of people if it was injected in the productive sector of the economy. This money is enough to sort out the accommodation crisis at UNZA and CBU.”