Dear Editor,
ON Wednesday, President Edgar Lungu presided over an event at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka which marked the official commencement of the PF nationwide campaigns.
Prior to the event, President Lungu had given a directive that the party members should dispense with personal attendance but instead follow the proceedings using the online platforms from the areas of their convenience.
As registered voters of Muchinga Province, we opted to throng the accredited provincial centre, Mpika Boys Secondary School and attentively followed the Presidential assignment.
One of the points that President Lungu emphasieds was the need for law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Health to enforce the Covid guidelines.
We understand that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has given guidance on the need to discourage public rallies but instead utilise the available numerous online platforms.
On the other hand, we remind ourselves that the statutory instrument number 20 and 21 of 2020 which was issued by the Ministry of Health is still in force. This statutory instrument banned the assemblies of more than 50 people.
We do not recall of any identifiable regulation where the relevant authorities have issued a decree to reverse the requirements to restrict public assemblies.
It is therefore shocking that recently a senior police officer was on radio justifying why they did not take action on the huge crowd which escorted UPND President Hakainde Hichilema to the nomination with a huge crowd in total defiance of the Covid regulations.
With the directive coming from President Lungu regarding the need to enforce the rules, we find the “Presidential decree way of enforcing the rules” a neglect of duty by the relevant institutions.
We expect the Ministry of Health and Zambia Police to take the directive seriously and any inordinate failure to control the situation regarding huge crowds to constitute disobedience to lawful orders from the President.
To the political stakeholders, President Lungu’s directive was a mere reminder of what has already been promulgated and should not be misconstrued as anything unusual to the electoral process.
The third wave of corona virus is with us and at the same time, we should fulfil the democratic process in a healthy environment. President Lungu was merely encouraging the citizens to take responsibility of their health by taking precautionary measures to avert the spread of coronavirus.
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI,
Kanchibiya.
