Political Parties Promise Peaceful Parliamentary Election Campaigns

Political parties participating in the forth-coming April 14 by- elections have committed to peaceful campaigns.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Patriotic Front (PF) election manager Musonda Mpakata said the PF party remains committed to having peaceful campaigns.
“As a party, we do not condone violence and these campaigns for the three by-elections are no different. We commit ourselves to ensuring that we campaign in a violence-free environment,” Mr Mpakata said.
Mr Mpakata who also described as positive the on-going campaigns by PF urged the members to restrain themselves from engaging in violent activities during this period leading to the day of the by-elections.
“I would like to appeal to PF members to exercise restraint and when provoked they should go to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands,” he said.
United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said the party has been having meetings with the youths in order to counsel them against engaging in violent activities even when provoked.
“We are urging other political parties to do the same. We expect to co-exist during these campaigns. We do not expect cadres to engage in election malpractices such as removing opponents’ posters,” he said.
The by-elections will take place in Senga Hill, Masaiti and Chawama constituencies. The Senga Hill and Masaiti seats fell vacant after the nullification by the high court while Chawama seat fell vacant after President Lungu was elected as republican president in the January 20 elections.