Dear Editor,
ON Friday, UPND Presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema through his outspoken spokesman Anthony Bwalya with unknown motives made alarming wild claims of the ballot papers disappearance from Lusaka City Council Civic Centre to their imaginary destination.
The same narrative was widely circulated in many online platforms with a view to denting the image of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the electoral outcome that is not favourable to the expectations of the 23- year-old opposition party.
This is through his ongoing crusade to create an impression that his party has been robbed of victory even before elections could be held.
It is not in the interest of any political stakeholder, UPND inclusive to wage a campaign of lies regarding the disappearance of ballot papers when they have not yet been dispatched to the various centres.
Zambia’s electoral process has earned the enviable reputation of credibility at an international plane and it is grave unpatriotism for Zambian citizens to stand on an anthill and blow the trumpet of lies for political expediency.
It is apparently clear that the UPND has seen the wind of continuation which is blowing in favour of the Patriotic Front and President Edgar Lungu and that has unsettled Mr Hichilema who is attempting for a sixth possible defeat which will potentially put the last nail on his slim political fortune.
This is the ugly reality Mr Hichilema does not imagine to live with hence his attempt to use all possible means to redeem his dwindling political fortunes.
Sadly, Mr Hichilema and his political cohorts do not care putting the country in turmoil if the outcome does not favour them. He has sensed defeat and now embarked on fishing in the dark with the view to find any justification upon which he can launch a legal challenge to overturn any possible unfavourable outcome.
As an opposition political party that has existed for 23 years with the documented six electoral attempts, the UPND have a noble duty to guard the existing peaceful atmosphere of Zambia and should not resort to irresponsible behaviour on social media.
Moreover, beside the electoral code of conduct, they have appended their signatures to several peace accords including the ones that are pioneered by their user friendly Commonwealth.
The tendency of spreading barrages of lies for political ends is not one which is consistent with the peace pledges and prior undertakings they have made in the past. These inflammatory claims have the ability to incite the voters to rise and reject the outcome.
We are glad Lusaka Town Clerk Alex Mwansa did not leave anything to chance to let lies thrive as he came to clarify and set the record straight regarding the whereabouts of the ballot papers. Mr Mwansa has laid bare the claims of any alleged collusion with the PF as untrue as they lack any factual basis.
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI,
Kitwe.
