HH goes for Mundubile, Makebi By MUBITA KATETE
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has warned opposition political parties and their supporters against disrupting polling stations or engaging in violence during the election period, saying nobody will be allowed to break the law. Mr Hichilema said he had received reports that some opposition actors were planning to disturb polling stations, but cautioned them against repeating the violence that characterised the 2021 elections. “I hear the opposition want to disturb polling stations. I am saying to them, no violence. Nobody will be allowed to break the law,” Mr Hichilema said. Speaking during one of his many campaign rallies in Lusaka’s Chawama Constituency yesterday, President Hichilema urged citizens to maintain peace before, during and after the elections, saying his administration did not retaliate against its opponents after winning the 2021 election. He said Zambia should not return to what he described as a period when political violence, machetes and gunshots were witnessed in the streets. “Do not fight. In 2021, you brought us fights, and when we won, we did not beat them. Now they want to get us to fight again,” Mr Hichilema said. He warned opposition parties that the government would take action against anyone who attempted to use violence to interfere with the electoral process. Mr Hichilema also contrasted the current electoral environment with the 2021 elections, claiming that the country was relatively peaceful this year compared with the violence witnessed during the previous election. “Just look at this year’s election; it is quiet. During the 2021 election, there was blood in the streets. Once you vote for them, they will bring it back,” he said. He also urged voters not to support political forces he accused of being associated with the violence of the past. Mr Hichilema said citizens should reject attempts to provoke conflict and instead protect the peace that has been maintained. /////////// To continue reading, you must subscribe to either DAILY, WEEKLY or MONTHLY Plans.
