Independent candidates warned against imperialists

INDEPENDENT candidates should remain loyal to the Patriotic Front (PF) and guard against falling prey to manipulative tactics of the imperialists, opposition political party leaders have said.

Christian Democratic Party (CDP) president, Danny Pule and Green Party president, Peter Sinkamba, warned that imperialists and other organisations with “ill-conceived” agendas would try to take advantage of independents.

Mr Sinkamba called on independent candidates to reject being used as conduits for confusion.

He said that the candidates should emulate President Edgar Lungu, who called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

“I am advising those who have decided to stand solo to continue being loyal and reject any attempts to be used to cause confusion,” he said.

Mr Sinkamba also called on the police to ensure that they deal with anyone perpetuating violence.

“We calling on the police to be on top of things and ensure that they deal with anyone perpetuating violence during and after elections,” he said.

And Dr Pule said the constitution allows political candidates to stand as independents and that candidates who went solo were not committing any wrong.

“The reason why some candidates decided to go solo is a two-way thing, either they felt like they were the best candidates to be adopted or they were not committed to their party hence they decided to jump out of the moving train.

“The constitution allows political candidates to stand as independent and that it is their constitutional right so there is nothing wrong with that,” he said.