https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58146384Zambia is expected to hold tightly contested presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, with many voters - especially the youth - worried about the economic turmoil that has hit the copper-rich nation.
The governing Patriotic Front (PF) swept to power in 2011 on the promise of "less taxes, more money in people's pockets and more jobs". It says it has remained true to its pro-poor policies.
"A lot of work has gone into stopping the bleeding of the economy and we are now on the path to recovery," PF campaign spokesman Amos Chanda said.
But the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) says that President Edgar Lungu - who is running for office again - has not met the expectations of Zambians.
The General election in Zambia is tomorrow.
President Edgar Lungu is expected to face a close race with businessman Haikindi Hichilema in a rematch of the 2016 election. However, Zambia has been experiencing Democratic backsliding, as Lungu's government has prevented Hichilema from effectively campaigning for much of the election so far.
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/07/30/330253/A heavy handed police response met UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and his supporters when they arrived in Chipata yesterday for campaigns.
Before Mr.Hichilema’s arrival in Chipata the Police teargassed his supporters. Mr Hichilema and his campaign team were then prevented from leaving the airport.
“We were blocked from entering Chipata and detained at Chipata Airport runway for close to two hours.Prior to our arrival, several People were tear gassed by the Police under instructions from the outgoing PF regime. We are now in Chipata, Eastern Province for various peaceful and developmental programs because that is what we are.Our programmes continue tomorrow.
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/07/28/329989/The United Party for National Development has accused President Edgar Lungu of blocking the party’s presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema from campaigning for the August 12 general elections.
In a statement released to the media by the party’s secretary-general, Mr. Secretary General Batuke Imenda, the party said that they were disappointed with government institutions that are being used by President Edgar Lungu to block United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance presidential candidate, Hakainde Hichilema, from campaigning for the August 12 general elections, adding that what these institutions are doing is an affront to the country’s democracy given that this is campaign period.
Mr. Imenda said that Mr. Hichilema has consistently been stopped from campaigning on the ground by Patriotic Front (PF) government machinery such as the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the Zambia Police on claims of flouting the electoral code of conduct.
“It is disturbing that a day after Mr. Hichilema had flown to Solwezi where thousands of residents turned up to welcome him and listen to his message of hope, the government decided to revoke his permit to fly to various destinations, ” he said.
https://twitter.com/HHichilema/status/1422660597355798528
