Zambia reiterates commitment to peaceful polls

The Zambian government on Thursday assured the international community that it will hold free and fair elections and that there was no need for apprehension.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said the government's commitment to hold free and fair elections could be seen in its decision to invite foreign observer missions to monitor next month's general elections.

Kalaba, who was speaking when Commonwealth Special Advisor on Political Dialogue Ibrahim Gambari paid a courtesy call on him, said foreign observer missions have been invited because Zambia runs a transparent electoral system.

According to him, the government of President Edgar Lungu wanted to maintain the country's good record of being a peaceful and democratic country.

On his part, the Commonwealth envoy commended Zambia for having a history of holding peaceful elections and expressed happiness that the government has welcomed various observer missions to monitor the August 11 general elections.

Zambia will hold presidential, parliamentary, local government elections as well as a referendum to amend part three of the constitution which deals with rights of citizens. The voters will also be voting for city mayors.

Lungu, who is a presidential candidate for the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), is seeking a fresh mandate, having won last year's presidential election necessitated by the death of his predecessor, Michael Sata.

He however faces stiff challenge from Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

During last year's elections, Lungu polled 807,925 votes against Hichilema's 780,168 votes. Endit