Chipimo, Chibwe call for peaceful polls

By TEDDY KUYELA
TWO opposition political parties have urged rivals in the February 25 Katuba Parliamentary byelection to conduct peaceful campaigns.
National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo and United Party for National Development (UPND) general secretary Winston Chibwe said in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday that all political parties should avoid violence.
Mr Chipimo said NAREP has in the past been deeply Chipimo, Chib we call for peaceful polls concerned by intolerance and violence by political parties during by-elections.
“We want the campaigns for Katuba to be peaceful so that a right person can win the seat,” he said.
The Katuba seat fell vacant after the death of the Member of Parliament Patrick Chikusu in December last year.
Mr Chipimo also said that tribalism and political intimidation must be avoided, noting that instead there must be politics that will help to enhance the country’s democracy.
And Mr Chibwe also called for peaceful elections in Katuba.
He said peaceful elections enhances democracy, peace and unity.
Mr Chibwe said politicians and political parties must compete equally for power and accept election results.
“All we are calling for now is peaceful campaigns so that the right candidate can win,” he said.
Mr Chibwe called on the government, ECZ, political parties and civil society organisations to join efforts to ensure credible and transparent elections are held in Katuba.