Dear Editor,
ZAMBIA is this year holding general elections. The electorate will be afforded an opportunity to elect leaders of their choice. The general elections are slated for Thursday August 12, 2021.
There are 16 presidential candidates who recently filed their nominations in a bid to contest the presidential elections. Realistically speaking, the presidential battle is between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Having said this, I should not be misconstrued that presidential candidates from other political parties can’t win the polls.
The high number of political parties participating in this year’s polls entails democracy but, it is not good for a small democracy like Zambia.
Most of the political parties will just split the votes and ultimately give the PF undue advantage to win the elections. The gist of the matter is that anything can happen in the general elections.
Moreover, the major opposition political party is the potential government.
To participate in the presidential elections is one thing and to have what it takes to lead the people is another. Hence, the need to vote for a leader who can address the current economic challenges the country is grappling with.
To this end, let me hasten to state here that Zambia’s economy is in a state of quagmire. Many people are wallowing in abject poverty as evidenced by the high prices of goods and services.
This is a fact regardless of the factors that have contributed to the country’s ailing economy.
However, the campaign messages should be centred around revivinging the country’s poor economy. People are interested in knowing how the presidential hopefuls will turn around the economy in a country which is endowed with abundant natural resources.
All said and done, the campaigns for this year’s polls should be issue-based. This will enable the electorate to make informed decisions before the polling day.
ELEMIYA PHIRI,
Lusaka.
