PF VICTORY

ONCE again, Zambians have used the powers that the ballot box gives them to elect who they want to represent them in the political dispensation of the country. In doing so, they have given their electoral vote to the ruling Patriotic Front in the Kasenengwa parliamentary constituency. In the other local government by-elections in Solwezi, Zambezi and Kasempa, the spoils have been shared between the PF and the United Party for National Development. In both Zambezi and Kasempa, it was always a tight race because the two districts were perceived to be UPND strongholds. For the PF therefore, the results could be more than they bargained for. Solwezi was not that easy being a UPND stronghold. No one can begrudge the PF for their elation after their performance in the Zambezi and Kasempa byelection. As PF secretary-general Davies Mwila said the victory in the recent by-elections was a clear signal that Zambians had rejected UPND’s politics of bitterness, lies, hatred, cheap propaganda and regionalism. He said in a statement yesterday that Zambians fully understood that the hope which the opposition political parties preached about was nothing but a mirage. He reiterated that Zambians had said “yes” to politics of development under the PF government. Mr Mwila said it was clear to the Zambian people that while the opposition and some of their colleagues continued to paint a gloomy picture of the country, the ruling Party had continued to score highly. “People understand that the PF 2016-2021 election manifesto did not promise a bed of roses and manna falling from heaven, on the contrary, the manifesto promised to develop Zambia by taking tough but inevitable decisions,” he said. It is that confidence that the recent electoral victories have shown that people have in the PF that should propel the party to greater heights. The victories are not for self-aggrandisement by those who have been elected, but to see how well they could serve the people. President Edgar Lungu has stated that he does not want to hear of any elected PF official being involved in illegal land schemes. Instead, the nation expects the newly-elected leaders to start work on a fresh mandate that they have been elected to do some work. They should bring a new breath of life to the party with fresh ideas on how best the PF can bring development to the nation. Already, the new MP for Kasenengwa Mr Sensio Banda appears to have hit the ground running judging by his positive statement at a post-election media briefing. Mr Banda said his agenda was to provide decent and reliable water sources to the people in his constituency because that is what the people in his constituency elected him for. “Stakes are very high in a very short space of time we should be able to revamp and improve public services provision in the health sector, road network and education systems and services across the constituency. “To ensure that we are able to deliver, my primary agenda will be focused on engaging various stakeholders and cooperating partners so that we are able to influence and bring forth meaningful development that resonates with the needs of the people.” Mr Banda must not allow himself to be led astray but focus on meeting the needs of his electorate. That, we believe is what made him offer himself as a candidate in the first place. The PF must take advantage of the goodwill it is enjoying throughout the country by ensuring that it meets the aspirations of the people. That is what will guarantee votes in future.