The will of the people must prevail, insists Hakainde Hichilema
By Francis Maingaila and Derrick Sinjela
United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance presidential aspirant Hakainde Hichilema wants the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government election, which took place on Thursday 12th August, 2021 to reflect the will of the people.
Hosting a Wednesday 11th August 2021 Media Briefing at the Community house in Lusaka’s New Kasama area, on the eve of a competitive poll, Mr. Hichilema prayed that the decision of who will win must be made by the voters and those who count the votes.
“We demand that phones must be allowed in the polling station to enable the people capture the results after being announced at the polling station. It is the duty of citizens to protect the votes, and international observers need to avoid falling into a trap of announcing unverified results. Their job is to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible and not to sanitize a defective election system and environment,” said Hichilema exuding confidence that the UPND Alliance will the elections.
Hichilema lamented that the UPND Alliance partners did not have a proper countrywide access to the electorates after the government and the PF denied them an opportunity to freely campaign, evident by last minute cancellation of flights. The ECZ must ensure that the elections are held in an environment that favors all players. Under the UPND, there will a truly independent electoral body,” admonished Hichilema.
Allaying fears of arrests, Hichilema assured the audience that UPND in government will not focus on building the damaged economy but reuniting a divided country.
“The UPND wants to see Zambians being involved in mining, and I have never ever promised to sell this natural resource to foreign investors. A vote for the UPND is a vote for change and the sitting government must allow a smooth handover of power. I am not an enemy of President Lungu. I am ready and eager to dialogue with president Lungu and clarify the misconception that he is my enemy,” protested Hichilema.
