PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila has insisted that political parties should be part of the National Registration Cards (NRCs) registration process.

And Mwila says the people of Lukashya and Mwansabombwe Constituencies will choose to rise above and reject the opposition alternatives because of the bitterness, falsehoods and tribalism they exhibit.

Briefing the press on the Central Committee’s resolutions, Wednesday, Mwila insisted that political parties should be part of the NRC registration process in order to strengthen democracy.

“The PF attaches great importance to all efforts aimed at enhancing and expediting popular participation of all citizens in the governance process. However, this is not exclusively PF’s responsibility, but the responsibility of all stakeholders, including political parties. For this reason, the Central Committee of the PF has called on the active involvement of all stakeholders, including political parties such as Patriotic Front, in National Registration Card (NRC) registration process. The PF believes that by doing so, Zambia’s democracy will be deepened and strengthened,” Mwila said.

And Mwila announced that the ruling party had adopted Kasabo Kampampi and George Chisanga as its candidates for the upcoming Mwansabombwe and Lukasha Constituency by-elections, respectively.

He added that the people of the two constituencies will choose to rise above and reject the alternatives offered by the Opposition because of their bitterness, falsehoods and tribalism.

“Building on the good works of our departed comrades, the PF is certain to win both seats because the people shall choose people-centred development, peace, love and national unity, which only the Patriotic Front under His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, continue to offer. On the other hand, our people in Lukashya and Mwansabombwe constituencies will choose to rise above and reject the alternative being offered by the Opposition, namely: bitterness, falsehoods and tribalism,” Mwila said.

“The Central Committee further reiterated that; as political parties start to mobilize for these future by-elections, the focus should be on development-focused (issue-based) campaigns, totally free from all forms of violence. The Central Committee reaffirmed its position that it will not shield any form of criminality. Therefore, the Central Committee is calling on all members of the Party to embrace peace, maximum restraint and exemplary behavior.”

Mwila also said his party would continue holding peace, stability, unity and democracy as its foundation pillars.

“Peace, Stability, Unity and Democracy form our foundation and pillar as a Party. For this reason, the Patriotic Front has zero tolerance to all forms of violent conduct and speech. Based on this, the Central Committee has encouraged all Party Structures and members, to continue working towards enhancing good governance and promoting a stable political environment because, these are vital to achieving development without leaving anyone behind,” he said.

Mwila called on his party members to actively promote strict adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures.

“The Central Committee believes that the country still has a window of opportunity to avoid a COVID-19 carnage by ensuring individual and collective responsibility, through strict adherence to stipulated guidelines and regulations. For this reason, the Central Committee is calling on all party members and citizens in general, to actively promote strict adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures, and the penalties of not adhering to COVID-19 preventative guidelines and regulations,” said Mwila.