HH condemns army commander’s threats

HH condemns army commander’s threats
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday, October 31, 2008 3:55:42 PM

THERE is no need for the army to intervene in the election process if the elections will not be rigged, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said yesterday. THERE is no need for the army to intervene in the election process if the elections will not be rigged, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said yesterday.

Speaking after he cast his vote at Kabulonga Boys High School, Hichilema said there were no issues that justified the army’s intervention.

Hichilema, who arrived at about 14:25 hours, was responding to statements from some defence forces that they were ready for people that were going to threaten violence after the elections.

"There is no need for the army to intervene in anything, there is no issue that justifies that the army should intervene, I think unless somebody wants to rig the elections, if the election is free and fair there is no need for the army to be involved but this is a democratic process, absolutely if anyone tampers with the rights of the citizens to choose the president of their choice," he said.

He said he did not see the connection between the army and the people asking for the democratic right to vote peacefully.

Hichilema said the ultimate in democracy was an election.

He said what the army had said it would do was out of context.

Hichilema said he hoped more people would turn to vote as a low voter turnout had been reported in many places.

He said voting was a very important issue in a democratic country like Zambia and people must understand that their vote directly affects their welfare.

When asked about people attributing apathy to lack of delivery of promises by politicians, Hakainde said that was why Zambia needed change.

He also said governments of national unity were destructive to Africa and Zambia did not need that.