A Ndola based civic organisation has advised political parties contesting in this year`s general elections to consider other means of campaigning such as online platforms in a bid to avoid the spread and contraction of COVID-19.
Democratic Governance and Human Rights Advocates ( DEGHA) Executive Director Gerald Mutelo says most political parties can avoid the spread and contraction of the virus by using other platform such as radio, internet, televisions to spread their manifesto.
“I am not discouraging people to campaign but it is important to keep people safe from COVID -19 by discouraging large gatherings”, he said.
Mr Mutelo has however called on the ruling Patriotic front PF to lead by example in observing the COVID-19 guidelines as campaign get to a heat in the country.
The DEGHA Executive Director observed that the PF has been the number one breaker of the COVID-19 guideline evidenced by the huge crowds during its meetings with members.
If the spread COVI-19 can only be prevented if the ruling party which is a biggest political party ensures that guidelines are followed by its supporter during campaigns, Mr. Mutelo said.
This week the Electoral Commission Zambia ECZ also advised political parties from holding rallies during campaigns due to COVID-19.
It won’t work. Let the opposition go flat out to campaign. This is their time too. PF has been campaigning from 2016 without any disturbances. The opposition could not even be allowed to mobilize. The majority of voters are villagers who do not even have access to social media
90% of the population no wearing masks so really what is this about ???????????
PF has znbc, Zanis, Times of zambia, Daily mail at it’s finger tips, which other media platform can the opposition use without being threatened with closure. Aweee just make the playing field level not….
Go to hell. USA and malawi had rallies, who cares about covid-19 if you die you die because it’s your time. Covid-19 can be rallies should go on. Banning rallies is advantage to the ruling party who have not allowed media coverage to the opposition at all and always attack radio stations.
EXACTLY GO TO HELL PF
This Man Gerald Mutelo is living in a Developed World where all ITC services are available to call for use of such medium in Zambia. I remember even in USA during their campaigns last year there were rallies all over the world but observing social distancing. Who is this Gerald Mutelo to advocate such nosense. There were elections in Malawi and even Uganda, rallies were still taking place. Let us not openly show the political parties we support because we have a platform to air our support.
After superspreader rallies at the Kazangula bridge opening, and all those *****ic flyovers, the PF has had their share of campaigning. To now being totally hypocritical and say no more campaigning? Then what were all those PF trucks with cadres doing yesterday? That wasn’t campaigning?????
Suddenly they are concerned about covid-19 when the numbers of infections are reducing….PF of Lazy Lungu is very predictable
Always worrying when these obscure and pointless leaders open their mouths supporting terrible ideas. Those who want to campaign should do so by a method of their choosing. Socially distanced rallies are welcome. To think that those unroadworthy buses are still operating in filthy conditions and dirty masks beats my brains.! At the markets is chaos as usual! Churches, pubs, weddings and other public gatherings are going on..so let’s show sophisticated thinking and ignore PF’s decision. It is theirs and let them adhere to it.
The issues people should worry about is the corrupt ECZ, police and the real fear that the elections are not going to be free and fair!
Pf has already made known its position on this. Ask those upnd how they plan on selling their rubbish to these tribal supporters
Campaign for Jacinta Luo online?? Some of these NGOs don’t like PF to the core…