President Edgar Lungu has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting democracy in the country by upholding the constitution as the supreme law of the land.
President Lungu cited the holding of general elections every five years and providing people a platform to elect leaders of their choice as one way of upholding the national constitution.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu was speaking during his State of the Nation address on progress made in the application of National Values and Principals, that the government of the Patriotic Front (PF) believes in the rule of law and strong institutions of state that promote democracy.
“We have made headways in our preparations for the general elections to be held on August 12, 2021 and government will ensure that law and order prevails before, during, and after the elections,” President Lungu said.
He commended Zambians who turned up to register as voters, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and all stakeholders for sensitizing people on the importance of registering as voters.
President Lungu said the efforts of the ECZ, political parties, traditional leaders and other stakeholders has resulted in a provisional register with slightly over 7 million people, which represents 83 percent of eligible voters.
The president has also urged those who have registered as voters to turn up in numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote, saying registering as a voter is not enough.
In relation to the health sector, President Lungu said government has constructed over 500 health facilities and recruited over 23,000 health workers since the year 2017 in order to bring health services closer to people.
He said the government has also established five regional medical storage and distribution hubs across the country to ensure efficiency in the supply of drugs and medical supplies.
“As a pro-poor government, we have an obligation to ensure that the rural population also benefits from the development agenda of the country,” President Lungu said.
Meanwhile President Lungu has expressed the need to exploit natural resources in a sustainable manner to attain inter-generational equity, while maintaining ecological integrity.
He said government has, over the years, strengthened measures aimed at protecting the environment and has stepped-up afforestation and reforestation activities to improve forest cover.
“Government is working with communities in the sustainable management of forests and so far 1.2 million hectares are being managed as community forests under 34 forest management agreements that have been signed since 2018,” President Lungu added.
He also reiterated his call to the nation to plant more trees, use clean and smart energy such as solar and avoid the use of charcoal, which leads to indiscriminate cutting of trees.
President Lungu urged citizens to desist from settling in fragile eco-systems such as wetlands and protected wildlife areas as it results in degradation, human-animal conflicts and the negative effects of climate change such as floods.
“We owe it to posterity to conserve our pristine environment and biodiversity,” he added.
President Lungu further said government will continue to promote climate smart agriculture, sustainable tourism and renewable energy in pursuit of sustainable development to grow the sectors and complement the mining sector.
Beans mwa Silozi ki manawa
We hear your assurance to commitment to democracy your excellency but when are you filling that commitment so that we can return to democracy where all parties will be guaranteed freedom of assembly the same way the ruling PF is allowed to assemble, and ZNBC being returned to a truly public broadcaster featuring all parties, and not a preserve of the ruling PF, and us seeing PF caders breaking radio stations being arrested for attacking radio stations for merely featuring opposition political parties prosecuted and jailed to set a very good example to others
A very flawed democracy with open bribery using chitenges and other goodies to bribe voters.Lungu is definitely lying.
The President has always lived up to democratic tenets …
If we want to solve our problems we must first be honest with ourselves. Edgar hasn’t any moral standing to even seek an illegal 3rd term. We have witnessed unprecedented greed by those in leadership under his rule. How do you explain a situation where even Ministers were getting commission in arrangement fees on Chinese loans? The nation is on its knees because of the greed of leaders. It’s better for you to retire quietly and leave someone to take over instead of forcing yourself on the ballot because if you lose or try to play tricks you’ll regret. We didn’t expect you to behave so recklessly. Shame on you! Rule of Law? Why have you allowed Kalimanshi to insult your Ministers? Is that the rule of Law? Does this man really mean what he says? It seems there’s no connection
Kikiki
If ECL believes in Constitutional Democracy then he must respect the Constitution. Our Constitution is very clear. ECL has been elected and sworn in twice in 2015 and 2016 and therefore cannot be elected and sworn in for the third time. ECL shouldn’t impose himself on Angry and Hungry Zambians by seeking an illegal and unconstitutional Third Term. ECL must realise that Rigging Elections has consequences. ECL shouldn’t engulf Zambia into flames and a Civil War. The writing is on the wall.
Very excellent speech as always. Was great working with others in OP to prepare for this successful address. As always your constructive feedback is appreciated and welcome.
Kz
Director of higher intelligence
Do people understand the meaning of “assurance”. You assure someone.
If we want to solve our problems we must first be honest with ourselves. Edgar hasn’t any moral standing to even seek an illegal 3rd term. We have witnessed unprecedented greed by those in leadership under his rule. How do you explain a situation where even Ministers were getting commission in arrangement fees on Chinese loans? The nation is on its knees because of the greed of leaders. It’s better for you to retire quietly and leave someone to take over instead of forcing yourself on the ballot because if you lose or try to play tricks you’ll regret. We didn’t expect you to behave so recklessly. Shame on you! Rule of Law? Why have you allowed Kalimanshi to insult your Ministers? Is that the rule of Law? Does this man really mean what he says? It seems there’s no connection
The problem with ECL is that he cannot be trusted. He doesn’t walk the Talk. He is pretending to believe in Zambia’s Constitutional Democracy but in May 2021 when Nominations are called he will seek to be nominated for a Third Term which is illegal and unconstitutional. ECL must accept the fact that he has been elected and sworn in twice and doesn’t qualify for a Third Term. If ECL believes in Constitutional Democracy then he mustn’t stand as a Presidential Candidate in the upcoming Elections on August 12,2021. This is ECL’s Acid Test!
Poverty stricken democracy…..More than 40% of Zambians live below the poverty line.
No comment reflection reserved for monday next week. I for one am already enjoying my bottle of four cousins I saw other Junior Citizens are going to have one for the road,while others are orgnising where they will go and have there favourite Whisky and Jamerson see you Monday when will be back for serious business
Bull Cr#p !!!
You should be improving people’s livelihoods because it looks like PFs understanding of pro poor is to keep people poor
Lungu can not even update us on who gassed the nations.
Or who used to start those market fires.
And now we are hearing of expired ARVs and antibiotics.
The only commitment Lungu should make is that he will vacate office and not stand for a third illegal term.
you are right Mr shakers, let me go get some four cousins too.
Lies from a convicted thief.
Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity.
Thank you your exellence. Very well spoken. We thank you for your able leadership and guidance. We see you again next year.
You don’t spread democracy with a barrel of a gun.
Opposition parties were stopped from mobilizing even before covid through the Public order act which by the way the Public order act is a very good piece of legislation if it was not abused by the Police. The Public order did not even require any amendment through bill 10. And what type of democracy is this where a public broadcaster ZNBC run by all tax payers in the country only features the ruling PF to the exclusion of others. very strange democracy Zambia has, a very retrogressive one
“….use clean and smart energy such as solar and avoid the use of charcoal, which leads to indiscriminate cutting of trees…”
We advised this lazy GRZ lead by lungu to establish a solar manufacturing industry in Zambian, by now millions of trees would be saved and thousands of jobs created….
Such endeavours are too hard a task for lungu and his ministers
We need to return to democracy, the current dispensation is not what we aspired for, and intra party democracy embraced as well where people like KBF will not be expelled from a party for merely expressing ambition to stand against the incumbent
Let’s make a deal, HH will elections that we know.
But Edgar is a nice guy, why not create a job for him as Prime minister??
This drunkard is delusional. he-spent his whole speech talking about gender, youth suicides, child marriages, student loans, embracing the national anthem and flag, the environment and water.
There was no mention of the economic mismanagement and suffering of Zambians, no mention of corruption, no mention of the debt problem, no mention of expired drugs, no mention of inflation, no mention of police killings.
What do you expect from an incompetent retard
What a false promise by ECL. A free,fair,credible and peaceful 2021 Elections in 2021 with ECL in charge? That’s not possible. ECL is inernest seeking an illegal and unconstitutional Third Term. Thru ECZ Elections are already being rigged thru a Manipulated New Voters Roll which is designed to disenfrachise voters in HH perceived strongholds. ECL cannot win a Popular Vote in 2021 and so he will steal the upcoming Elections at all costs. The writing is on the wall.
PF commitment to democracy…..!! not in a million yrs. It’s far easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
Mister Lungu what is democracy when PF has been steadily making Zambia poorer ? All economic indicators have been going negative since 2011.
Am drinking again after deciding not to earlier . Scouser you mother faka. I need to beat you up
KZ bring it on. The facts don’t lie. Truth hurts.
You and your convict boss are both retards. Want to deceive the nation
U would have to be a big fool to accept ECL’s false promise and commitment to Democracy. Lungu has already indicated that he will stand in 2021 for a Third Term even if it’s illegal and unconstitutional. Lungu doesn’t respect Zambia’s Constitution,Rule of Law, Good Governance and Human Rights. Lungu is prepared to drive Zambia into Chaos by imposing himself 4 an illegal and unconstitutional Third Term and rigging the 2021 Elections in his favour. For these reasons Lungu can’t guarantee free,fair, credible and peaceful Elections in August 2021. That Election will be violent and the outcome will be disputed. The writing is on the wall.
Community forest management is a great concept. It not only protects the forests, but also provides sustainable source of income to people who are dependent on forest for livelihood. The people who, otherwise would have destructed the forest, are now protecting it. They can now have the cake and eat it too!
If you think we are not in democracy at present, then my friend, you need to get your facts checked. The opposition can criticise the government and even the President, in the filthiest language possible, some media houses with compromised loyalties continue to spread fake news, level baseless allegations and run away when asked to prove it, keep on crying in the name of freedom of speech and expression, some political leaders misleading youth and driving them to violence and yet, no action is being taken against them. If this is not democracy, then what is it?
You are in clear contempt of court, as you deny the judgement of Constitutional Court on the dispute over the presidential term. The debate is long closed. If you are not ready to accept the judgement on President Lungu’s term in office, then you should also not accept the judgement on alleged illegal occupation of office by ministers! Why are you so selective? It is the convenience you are looking for because you hate one person.
President Edgar Lungu has once again showed how the Head of the State should be! Very excellent speech and guidance to the nation.
Did anyone notice the composure and maturity of President Edgar Lungu? He did not resort to unnecessary criticism of the opposition despite the derogatory language they use. On the contrary, he very humbly appealed them not to be responsible when they use social media.
I am happy to see you in action against corruption, Your Excellency. I am sure you will weed out the corruption and clean the system. God Bless you.
Really? When was he convicted and for what theft? On the contrary, Hakainde Hichilema who is desperately trying to go to State House, has several cases pending against him, with most of them fit for guaranteed conviction.
You are doing a great job sir. The health care facilities built over last few years has benefited millions of people in terms of access to quality health care and also jobs for many. We have seen the way you handled Covid19 pandemic, while every self proclaimed saviour of the people was hiding in homes.
In the speech, President Edgar Lungu touched upon a very crucial issue of alcohol and drug addiction. We, as a society need to be serious about it and work on eliminating it.
I think it would be true, if not “tru-ish” , to say that majority Zambians use charcoal for cooking ( even in homes where there are electric stoves) Therefore, ERB would do well to actively encourage gas for cooking where there is no electricity. Additionally, ZESCO can be involved in the evolution of widespread smart DOMESTIC solar panels that would feed into the ZESCO grid ( i.e, ordinary citizens can be economically empowered to become MICRO power generating stations that feed into national grid))We still have a small enough population to become a world leader where electricity is generated by individual citizens for at LEAST LIGHTING of domestic homes. Technology ( even local engineers) exists which can come up with a system to monitor and differentiate between energy for…
Are you more learned that the Judges? Do you know the constitution better than them? You are claiming that President Edgar Lungu is not eligible for contesting, why don’t you just read the Constitution and especially Article 100 and 106.
If you think we are not in democracy at present, then my friend, you need to get your facts checked. The opposition can criticise the government and even the President, in the filthiest language possible, some media houses with compromised loyalties continue to spread fake news, level baseless allegations and run away when asked to prove it, keep on crying in the name of freedom of speech and expression, some political leaders misleading youth and driving them to violence and yet, no action is being taken against them. If this is not democracy, then what is it?
We hope ECL is seriouly committing to conduct a free,fair, credible and peaceful Elections in August 2021. Violent and disputed Elections in August 2021 will be punished by the International Community. M7 in Uganda is learning the hard way after 59 people were killed during the recent Elections. Already M7 has been reported to ICC for Committing Crimes against Humanity. The US, UK and EU Govts are already threating to impose Sanctions on Uganda and the M7 Govt. A violent and disputed Election on August 12, 2021 will attract International Sanctions on Zambia. With a bankrupt and fragile Economy, Zambia cannot afford International Sanctions. The writing is on the wall.