The President chastised some Zambians in the diaspora for living in denial over his re-election, but has assured them that as Head of State he did not harbour evil feelings against them.
“ You have me for President and I shall not hold a grudge against anyone who has not accepted by presidency, including those who are sharing this denial in South Africa. We have a President,” President Lungu said.
The president was speaking at the Zambian mission in Pretoria yesterday when he addressed Zambian residents in South Africa.
The Head of State disclosed that he had received reports that some Zambians had petitioned President Jacob Zuma not to receive him in the mistaken belief that his election victory was illegitimate.
The President said politicians in Zambia should take a leaf from the recent elections in Gambia and United States where losing candidates gracefully conceded defeat and moved on.
“Zambians see rigging at every turn in our electoral system especially when they lose. Politicians see rigging in their dreams. So to accept votes from the diaspora would be very difficult,” President said.
The Head of State said that he would not encourage a provision in the law for those in the diaspora to vote because some Zambians did not have confidence in the electoral system, and observed that if implemented, the system would give rise to more conflict and tension among Zambians.
ruling parts, Rig elections in a systematic ways not what we noticed in Zambia where by everyone knows the means used to rig unless fools who ignored nonsense done by some individuals who decided for Zambians over their leader or president, shame on you.
The President said politicians in Zambia should take a leaf from the recent elections in Gambia and United States where losing candidates gracefully conceded defeat and moved on.
It Seems the President does not have detailed information, the same Gambian President has asked for elections to be repeated.
So what is in his example to be emulated by Zambian politicians that he is calling for?
I thought it is everyone’s right to express their views including those that do not favor the president. Now do Zambians in the diaspora need to loose (or not granted) their rights to vote because (a few or most) have a negative view of the president and/or the electoral system? Your reasoning beats me Mr. President..
Why is lungu apologising for the ills he has done to zambians in south Africa (not In Zambia) and begging for acceptance
Clearly the petition and court cases irk and hurt Lungu a lot. Lungu craves recognition as a legitimately elected President. That’s the more reason why the court cases should continue!
ManB Putting stupidity aside, the president is right on this one and his points are valid. Don’t jsut oppose for the sake thereof.
Lets drop this issue mwebantu sure. Of all the problems Zambia has surely should voting in diaspora even be among your priorities? At what cost do you hope to achieve that? Developed countries whose democracry is far better still don’t have that among their priorities but Zambia should have? There is something I really do not understand about us Zambians and our thinking.
If Zambians abroad are allowed to vote, just know that PF will rule Zambia for 1,000 years. These riggers would manipulate the results until there would be more Zambians voting from abroad than those at home. I don’t trust PF and ECZ to do the right thing.
Vasco Da gama needs to stay in Zambia and fix the problems the country is facing instead of galavanting! Dr have not been paid for 6 months and he won’t even mention it as if he doesn’t know! SMFH!
Leadership must be responsible, leadership must be accountable, leadership must be relevant and highly ethical. Above all leadership must be demonstrated through conscientious acts of selflessness.
It’s about leaving a legacy that stands the test of time. It’s about setting standards politically or otherwise that will make someone walk with a head high, proud and free. It’s about ensuring that the future generations don’t find us in the same place our ancestors left us politically and economically if not worse. Great leaders are difficult to imitate because by default or grace they are highly selfless and visionary. Indeed, like a noble eagle in the sky.
Please help our generation to embrace the future with confidence, steer our country away from colossal amounts of debt. The…
Continued……
Please help our generation to embrace the future with confidence, steer our country away from colossal amounts of debt. The only collateral for the Zambian future generations shouldn’t be poverty and debt. And this after years of the mining boom that should have helped to stabilise our economy and a chance to be the beacon of Africa economically.
Very good thought my friend, but the current leadership in Zambia don’t give a damn about responsibility and accountability, it’s all about consolidation of power and wealth accumulation.
Many of us here are not even UPND, we are just concerned with the lack of vision and direction by PF and it’s worrying sick.
All those senseless trips abroad add up to millions of dollars that could buy equipment at UTH or Arthur Davies hospital in Ndola.
The demand for Zambians in the diaspora to vote is just nonsensical, period. There are other ways to contribute to national development – and this must be a suggestion by dull and lazy individuals. Also, those put up a silly petition to the South African presidency not to host ECL are sick and very fo.olish. ECL was invited by SA – only a silly person can put up a st.upid petition to stop an invited guest from being hosted.
You Ejoti, It’s every citizens right to vote. Many civilized countries permit citizens abroad to cast the ballot.
Ejoti political pests like you are the real reason for Zambias problems.
Tell that Ka lungu to not accept every invitation abroad, real work is in the office at state house.
Other people’s countries won’t solve our problems.
leave those peaple dont tell them lie u are a failure but u use yo pf rigging plan god watch u.
DICTATOR
OK – the President just broke his own constitution where voting is apparently a right and not a privilege. It is in his interest to find ways that every citizen can vote instead of wasting funds on a dangerous nuclear plant prospect. Guys the world is getting more and more connected and the excuse that if you are outside your country you cannot participate in its civic affairs is obsolete. At the moment Zambians who show up during election time and missed the registration deadlines are still disenfranchised – so how about that!? How about starting with that idea that Zambians who return during elections must still be allowed to vote? Awe mwe. So you proudly break your laws and then attack the judiciary and LAZ when you are chastised.
With Chitulika contituency that was announced by Essau Chulu and you expect Zambians who value democracy to sheeply accept such.
Edward made a cardinal mistake in assuming that after stealing the victory from HH and blocking the Petetion in Concourt the problem will disappear. Well the Petetion is still Alive and the problem of illegitimacy continues. If indeed Edward genuinely won this election why has he failed to prove this in Court? The fact that Edward has been blocking the Petetion from being heard means that he has something to hide. Why bribe the Concourt judges and connive with them to illegally block the Petetion. Edward is being haunted by this illegitimacy and no financial assistance will be forthcoming until the Petetion is disposed off. In Zambia there is No Legitimate President at present. Edward will fail to lead,reconcile and heal Zambians until the Petetioners are heard and the Petetion Is…
Diaspora Zambians should just give up their Zambian citizenship if they hate Zambia so much!
Lungu’s re-election was challenged in Concourt and that Petetion has not been heard. Lungu should realise that winds of change are blowing in Africa from Gambia to Angola and now Ghana. The Petition will haunt Lungu for the rest of his life and until its heard and disposed off. Until this is done Lungu will continue to have nightmares and hallucinations about this electoral theft. Its in Lungu’s interests to resolve the Petetion instead of wishing it away becoz it wont go away until it is resolved. By blocking the Petetion Lungu has proved that he stole the Election from HH. If Lungu won this Election why not clear his name in Court? The Video on Lundazi and the disqualifications of PF MPs in Munali and Lusaka Central is a clear testimony to confirm that Lungu lost the Election to HH…
If Chakolwa Edward Lungu did not Rig the Election then he should allow the Petetioners to be heard. Why is Lungu blocking the Petetion? The guilty are afraid.Edward should prove that he did not steal these elections from HH in Court.Period.
I thought the constitution is the bible for the country not the president. How could he block the courts from hearing the petition from citizens?he can just wakeup to order the court to hear the petition. He breaks the constitution for the few disgruntled cadres? Let’s go back to work.
I believe that country has laws and causing Lungu having interfered in the court process is not true.the pertitioners had a time frame where they failed to provide evidence besides evidence from Facebook provided by that female lawyer,the fake Pvt which showed registered voters instead of the actual number of votes cast(in southern province). We have read these things guys. Ecl is legit
Edgar chipuba