UPND ready for by-election, start campaigning

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema says his party is ready for the presidential by-election and it has started campaigning.
Mr Hichilema said this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.
“We are ready for the presidential by-election and we have started campaigning,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said President Sata did the best he could for Zambia and meant well but that the country needs to move forward.
The opposition leader also urged political parties to adhere to the rules stipulated in their constitutions when selecting presidential candidates to contest the by-election to avoid anarchy.
“This is not time to be driven by sectoral and partisan interests but the common good,” Mr Hichilema said.
He also commended Zambians for maintaining peace during the 14-day national mourning period in honour of the late President Sata and upholding culture.
Mr Hichilema appealed to the nation to move forward together in harmony, respect and common brotherly spirit.
He also said if the republican constitution provided for a running-mate, the expense of a presidential by-election would have been avoided.
“It is simply mind boggling that we must hold three Presidential elections within a space of six years,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said UPND will expeditiously deliver a new constitution if voted into office.

Zambia Daily Mail