'UPND, PF’s liaison doesn't amount to electoral pact'

'UPND, PF’s liaison doesn't amount to electoral pact'
By Patson Chilemba
Saturday August 23, 2008 [04:00]

OPPOSITION UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said his party's cooperation with Patriotic Front (PF) does not amount to an electoral pact. Commenting on the recent statement that PF was pushing for an electoral pact in the event of a presidential by-election, Kakoma stated that his party had made a decision to cooperate with other political parties and progressive civil society organisations to solve common problems affecting the nation such as poverty and the controversial increments of salaries and allowances for Cabinet ministers and others.

He said it was public knowledge that UPND held a public rally with PF, civil society organisations and thousands of other Zambians to express their disagreement with the salary and allowance increments.

"In the past, we have engaged ourselves in similar activities such as the fight against the third term in 2001 and the constitution debate which has been going on for a long time, culminating into the current National Constitutional Conference (NCC)," Kakoma stated.

"Such cooperation and unity with other opposition parties and civil society organisations does not amount to electoral pacts or alliances but rather speaking and acting for the disadvantaged citizens."

Recently, informed PF sources said the party was pushing for an electoral pact with UPND in the event of a presidential by-election.