By ROGERS KALERO
POLITICAL parties must not risk the lives of the electorate by holding big campaign rallies which may result in people contracting the deadly Covid-19, the Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has warned
AVAP Copperbelt provincial coordinator, Poster Jumbe, said in Kitwe that political parties should not hold public rallies because people were difficult to control to ensure that they adhere to the stipulated guidelines of Covid-19
Mr Jumbe said political parties should not only look at gaining political mileage when they hold rallies, but should also think of safeguarding the lives of the electorate whom they would like to come and vote for them.
“The problem with some politicians is that their interest is only to have people coming to their rallies in big numbers without thinking about the effects of the Covid-19. Such huge rallies can lead to people contracting this deadly virus. Mind you, during rallies it is difficult to control people.
“We expect political parties to abide by the standard procedures against Covid-19. In fact, these political parties are part of the technical committee of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, which seeks to protect lives through strict adherence to regulations” Mr Jumbe said.
Meanwhile, Mr Jumbe has challenges UPND Copperbelt youth spokesperson Sam Mwikisa to explain to the elaborate what he meant when he said that UPND youths were ready to defend their rights and freedom if President Edgar Lungu continued to stop their rallies.
Mr Jumbe was reacting to a posting on social media by Mr Mwikisa that UPND youths were ready to defend their rights and freedom.
The UPND youth official had alleged that the decision by the police not to block them from holding their campaign rally at Changanamai grounds in Kwacha constituency in Kitwe was uncalled for.
But Mr Jumbe said it was important that the UPND youths state how they would defend themselves.
“I have read what the UPND youths are saying that they will defend themselves if President Lungu continues to stop them from having rallies. We would like to know how they will defend themselves. It is important that the nation knows their position on this matter,” he said.
