All MPs free to distribute presidential portrait books-Chalikosa
PARLIAMENTARIANS regardless of their political affiliations are free to visit the Patriotic Front (PF) secretariat to collect school books branded with President Edgar Lungu’s portrait to help the vulnerable pupils in their respective constituencies, Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Sylvia Chalikosa told parliament yesterday.
Ms Chalikosa said distribution of the books does not constitute a political campaign adding that other political parties were at liberty to distribute the materials to schools if they so wish.
Ms Chalikosa was responding to a question from Chipili Constituency MP, Jewis Chabi who asked the Vice President, whether the distribution of books branded with President Edgar Lungu’s portrait does not constitute a political campaign and whether other political parties are at liberty to distribute similar materials to schools.
She said the exercise was a personal project which was intended to help vulnerable pupils and not a political move.
And responding to UPND Kembe MP, Princes Kasune Zulu who wanted to find out from the Minister whether or not the pupils were allowed to cover the books, Ms Chalikosa said what mattered were children to have the books to write in adding that covering was not an issue.
“What really matters for them is just the books to write in. We do cover our books anyway. So, they are at liberty to do so if they so wish,” Ms Chalikosa said.
She added that the books are readily available at the PF secretariat for the MPs to pick up anytime for distributions in their respective constituencies.