By IREEN MULENGA
United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance has described the signing of the peace charter by some political parties as critical and timely as the country goes to the August 12, elections.
UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda who signed the Non-violence and Peace Charter on behalf of the party, called on all political players to respect and honor the charter.
“Today several political parties including the UPND signed a Non-violence and Peace charter that looks at clauses that on ensuring peace and non-violent elections under the umbrella of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ),”he said.
Mr Imenda observed that elections are not war but a means to allow the citizenry to choose leaders of their choice, therefore they have to be peaceful and once results are announced all parties to accept without resulting to violent means.
He expressed happiness at the timing to the signing of the charter as it was being done during a time when the nation was mourning the first republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda who was a champion of peace and who handed over power peacefully.
Mr Imenda urged all political players to emulate Dr Kaunda who stood for peace. He also commended LAZ for propagating such a noble act that will ensure that the country’s democracy is preserved.
He said the political parties who were conspicuously absent at the signing of the charter were the Patriotic Front, Socialist Party and the New Hope MMD.
LAZ President Abuid Shonga commended the political parties present for the input into the charter and pledged that the association would continue to advocate for peaceful elections.
Among the people who were present was Electoral Commission of Zambia Chief Electoral Officer Mr Patrick Nshindano
