Story On Page 6 PF, UPND pledge peaceful by election
By NATION REPORTER THE Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) in Monze have promised to give each other a showdown free from violence in the Mwanza local government by-election slated for this month end.
Both the political parties have claimed to have an upper hand in the local government by-election which has come about following the death of the sitting councillor.
In an interview with the Daily Nation in Monze, PF district chairman Gilbert Mwila saidthat his party was rightly positioned to take win the seat.
Mr Mwila said that for a very long time, the opposition had been providing leadership through their MP and councillors despite the party failing to initiate development.
He said that the candidate who the party has adopted, Boniface Chambwa comes from Mwanza and understands the problems the people in the areas are facing.
“Boniface Chambwa contested the same seat in 2016 and he stays with the people in the area. He is the people’s choice and he was instrumental in the construction and establishment of Kaunda Secondary School here in Mwanza West which is in Moomba Constituency in this district,” he said.
“What surprises as PF is that UPND has been providing leadership in this district and they receive Constituency Development Find (CDF) but they can’t point at any project which they have initiated….so we are telling the voters to give our man the maximum vote so they can see the development in this,” area.
“From our campaign plan, we are optimistic of delivering this seat and we are going to make our party leadership including the president happy because we have the resources and support,” he said.
Mr. Mwila said that the ruling party is on the ground and will not leave any stone unturned, adding that so far, the campaigns have been peaceful and there has not been any incidence of violence.
But the UPND has claimed the party can even stay away without campaigning because the by-election was being held in its bedroom.
Provincial chairman Billiard Makwembo, who is leading a team of more than eight members of Parliament from the UPND, claimed that the party would retain the seat.
“We are the majority in this district and so, we are getting our seat without even campaigning…this time around, we are vicious like we have not been before and we are going to guard our votes diligently,” he said.
“No one will manipulate votes even if the PF will bring government machinery…by the way, we are campaigning peacefully all of us UPND, PF and Rainbow Party…even though Rainbow is not an issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rainbow Party in the area is still waiting for materials and financial support from the head office in Lusaka.
The district chairman who claimed he had not been permitted to talk to the media nor state his name, expressed confidence of scooping the seat.