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Zambia's governing party to officially kick off campaigns on May 14

Xinhua, May 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambia's ruling party on Wednesday announced that it will on May 14 officially kick-off its campaigns ahead of general elections on August 11.

Zambia will hold general elections to elect a president, lawmakers and local government leaders.

Davies Chama, Patriotic Front (PF), secretary-general said the party will hold a mega rally at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, the country's capital, to officially launch its campaigns.

"We are taking the party to the people where it belongs. Our party is a party for the poor. It doesn't belong to hotels and lodges. It is in townships and compounds," Chama said in a notice.

The party expects 60,000 people to attend the event.

He said the party hopes to fill the ultra-modern stadium to capacity to demonstrate its strength, its history and its determination to lead the country.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who is the party's presidential candidate and senior party members will lead the launch, he added.

"The party is also expected to receive special endorsement from a variety of surprise political heavy weights. The party has also invited diplomats, former presidents, former cabinet ministers and other dignitaries to witness this historical mega rally," he said.

The party, he said, will also use the occasion to launch its manifesto.

Lungu is expected to dissolve parliament on May 11, 2016, paving the way for the start of campaigns for the elections which mainly pits the ruling party against the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

The ruling party, which has been in power after winning the 2011 general elections, has suffered setbacks in recent weeks following the resignation of senior party officials who have endorsed main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Among senior members who have endorsed the opposition leader include Vice-president Guy Scott.

On Tuesday, Mulenga, son to late President Michael Sata, resigned from the party and as minister to join the opposition party, claiming the party has been hijacked by outsiders. Endit