BY IREEN MULENGA
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has urged PF to choose an eligible presidential candidate for the 2021 general elections and avoid plunging the country into turmoil on account of President Edgar Lungu’s constitutional exclusion from running for a third term of office.
UPND Lusaka Provincial Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta said its dangerous for a ruling party to stop other presidential candidates from filing in their nominations because their preferred candidate does not qualify to stand beyond his constitutional two terms.
“We, therefore, urge the Zambia Police to take keen interest in the threats that have been issued by PF Lusaka province media coordinator Edwin Lifwekelo that the party will make it impossible for UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to file his nomination should Mr Lungu be blocked by the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Mr Mwaliteta said that the PF members know well that President Hichilema, has nothing to do with Lungu’s ineligibility from attempting to hold office for the third time.
He said no one is interested in blocking Mr Lungu from filing in his nomination papers but the Zambian Constitution.
Mr Mwaliteta said article 106 (3) of the Constitution clearly states that a person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President.
He said that president Lungu should aspire to preserve the peace that all his predecessors left Zambia with instead of creating an environment for mayhem.
Mr Mwaliteta said that it is not the first time to receive threats from the PF leadership and the police should take interest in the matter.
He said proposing violence as Lifwekelo has done, is a criminal offence contrary to Section 91 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia.
This is contained in a statement issued by Lusaka Provincial Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta.
