LOSERS MUST ACCEPT DEFEAT – RB
… Don’t jeopardize the peace and unity of this generation and those to come, he says
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
LOSERS in this week’s elections must graciously accept defeat, congratulate the winners and reorganisethemselves for the next election, Fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda has advised.
Mr Banda said any attempt by any entity to impose leadership should not be entertained as that would jeopardise the peace that Zambia continues to enjoy.
He said in a statement said contestants in tomorrow’s election should respect the will of the people by accepting defeat because in every election there could be only one winner.
“Any attempt by any entity acting alone or in concert with others to impose a leadership outside the concept of one man one vote will be an assault on the sacrifices of our founding fathers and will imperil the sovereignty and independence of the country, and also jeopardize the peace and unity of this generation andthose to come,” Mr Banda said.
Mr Banda also advised winners to remain humble, magnanimous and show respect to the losers.
He said Zambians should work together to ensure that peace and unity before, during and after the elections.
Mr Banda called upon leaders in the various faith based organizations and Zambians in general to pray to God Almighty for peace and preservation of the nation.
He said the Electoral Commission of Zambia should be given space and cooperation so that it could fulfill its mandate in a satisfactory manner.
The former Head of State reminded politicians to learn how previous electoral disputes had been resolvedwithout resorting to violence.
He said in the remaining two days of campaigns, politicians should ensure that they do not resorting to retrogressive and divisive activities such as violence, hate speech, ethnic and racial profiling in their campaigns.
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