President Hichilema Files Nomination, Assures Peaceful Polls

President Hakainde Hichilema has assured Zambians that the August 13 General Election will be free, fair and peaceful.

The Head of State warned that no one will be allowed to disrupt the electoral process through violence or intimidation.

Speaking shortly after filing his presidential nomination, President Hichilema said Zambia’s long-standing peace and unity must never be sacrificed for political interests.

He stressed that the election should strengthen democracy and national unity rather than divide citizens.

“Anyone engaging in violence will face the consequences alone because government will not tolerate lawlessness during campaigns and voting,” President Hichilema said.

The President urged citizens to give him and the UPND another mandate, citing progress made in the last four years and nine months.

He pointed to the restructuring of 94 percent of Zambia’s debt, foreign reserves now above US$6.5 billion, stabilisation of the Kwacha, and attraction of over US$11 billion in mining investments.

Other achievements include the creation of 1.1 million jobs, free education which has returned 2.5 million children to school, employment of thousands of teachers and health workers, expansion of the Constituency Development Fund to K2.1 million, and restoration of student meal allowances.

President Hichilema pledged that if re-elected, his government will focus on creating more jobs, lowering the cost of living, driving industrial growth and establishing state universities in provinces without one.

He urged UPND members and supporters to mobilise votes, saying each supporter must convince at least five people to vote.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango described the filing of President Hichilema’s nomination as the beginning of a new political era.

UPND Alliance Partners Chairperson Charles Milupi urged Zambians to vote for continued development, while Democratic Party Leader Judith Kabemba-Nkonge said citizens must maintain a winning team by supporting the UPND.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Province UPND Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta said campaigns will be easy because of the work delivered by President Hichilema in the past five years.

UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso called on youths to campaign vigorously and turn out in large numbers to vote for President Hichilema and the UPND.