Maravi

Vote wisely - Sata

Vote wisely - Sata
By George Chellah
Tue 20 Sep. 2011, 09:50 CAT

PF leader Michael Sata has called on Zambians to vote wisely in today's local government, parliamentary and presidential elections. In an interview ahead of today's tripartite elections, Sata urged Zambians across the country to take a close look at all the candidates that have offered themselves for leadership.

"…20th September presents yet another opportunity in our country's history when we have to choose our representatives for the next five years. And by representatives, I am talking about councillors, members of parliament and the president," Sata said.

"It is, therefore, very important for Zambians to make a wise choice as they vote for their councillor, member of parliament and president of their own choice. Zambians must only be ready to give their vote to people that deserve that vote. In short, let them ensure that they vote wisely in this election."

Sata said Zambians must be mindful that their decision today has a huge bearing on Zambia's future.

"We can only tell the Zambian people to realise as they go to cast their votes to bear in mind that their decision could either secure or destroy their future and that of their children and the generations to come," Sata said.

"I'm confident and sure that the Zambian people weighed and fully know all the candidates that have presented themselves for election, especially those vying for the presidency. I also know that Zambians are familiar with the contributions that each presidential candidate has made to their welfare and to the country in general."

Sata advised Zambians to ensure that they vote for leaders who not only have the passion to serve them but also have a proven track record.

"My appeal to my brothers and sisters as they go to vote is that they should also look out for maturity, respect for our people, experience, transparency and integrity in those vying for election and various levels of the process," Sata said.

"Most importantly, we should not forget the past and the present conditions under which we are living as individuals and as a people in general. Let not the gifts and other material things we might have received during this period blind us to the sad realities we constantly face as a people."

Sata said even as they cast their votes, people should be mindful of the difficulties and challenges they experience daily.

"This country is faced with so many problems, which include high unemployment and poverty levels, lack of proper health care, poor delivery of social services, corruption and abuse of office and lack of respect for the rule of law," Sata said.

"For example, only yesterday Monday the World Bank country director was reminding us that our country's unemployment and poverty levels have continued to rise despite the country recording the so-called economic growth."

"Our people have continued to wallow in abject poverty simply because the so-called economic growth has not benefitted the common man and woman on the street. I must say that this observation from the World Bank is very correct because the suffering among our people is depressing, especially those in rural areas."

Sata said before casting their votes, Zambians must ask themselves certain pertinent questions about the individuals vying for leadership.

"It's not just a matter of getting into the booth to cast a vote, no! It is important that as our people go to vote, they ask themselves what the person they are about to give their valuable vote was doing to curb the high unemployment and poverty levels; what that person was doing to improve our health care, which is in a deplorable state and what that person was doing to improve the delivery of social services to our people," Sata said.

"Zambian people must also not forget to ask themselves these other important questions: what was that person they are about to vote for doing to fight corruption and abuse of office. They should also see if the candidate they are about to choose has made any positive contributions towards the maintenance of the rule of law in the country. If they do these things, among others, then their vote will be meaningful both to themselves and to the country."

Sata appealed to all Zambians who have registered as voters to turn out in numbers and fulfil their democratic obligation to choose a leader of their choice.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MICHAEL SATA, PF

posted by MrK @ 4:08 PM