Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota says voter apathy is pausing a danger to this country’s democratic credentials.
Mr Mushota says the country’s democracy is under threat due to increased voter apathy thereby threatening the 50 plus one threshold by the Republican Constitution.
The Permanent Secretary said this at Mansa College of Education today at the Crowning of Traditional Leaders in Luapula as Champions of Voter Sensitisation and Peaceful Elections.
“According to our constitution, for a candidate to win the Presidential election that person should have fifty plus one votes, but this can only be achieved if there is a huge voter turnout,” he said.
Mr. Mushota said it is commendable that the Movement for Voter Sensitization (MVS) has embarked on a robust program aimed at addressing voter apathy.
He said sensitizing communities on ending voter apathy and electoral violence is a huge milestone that needs to be commended.
Mr. Mushota has since thanked the traditional leaders that have been crowned as Champions of Voter Sensitization and Peaceful elections.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people in Northern province has urged traditional leaders in Luapula province to advocate for peaceful election campaigns and voter turnout during the voting day on August 12, 2021.
Chief Chitimukulu , who is the Patron for the Movement for Voter Apathy Sensitization , observed that it is a concern that people today are divided due to politics instead of living in harmony.
He noted that Traditional Leaders should be at the centre of championing Kenneth Kaunda’s One Zambia One Nation motto to their subjects.
“Zambia is for all of us. We eat together in homes as brothers and sisters but why fight today all because of politics? As traditional leaders we have a huge role to play in advocating for peace,” he said.
And Luapula Province Chiefs Council Representative Senior Chief Mwewa, said the Chiefs in Luapula will continue to advocate for peaceful campaigns.
Chief Mwewa noted that Chiefs in the Province will work together to ensure there is a huge voter turnout during the voting day for the Tripartite elections on August 12, 2021.
“Voter apathy has been our concern, hence the coming together of traditional leaders advocating for high voter turnout and peaceful election campaigns,” he said.
Chief Mwewa stated that despite Chiefs being falsely accused of being champions of partisan politics they have continued to work together in fostering unity and peace in the country.
He added that Chiefs in the region will continue to sensitize their subjects on voting, peace and unity for a better Zambia.
“There is lack of the spirit of tolerance among politicians, too much tribalism, hate speech and voter apathy, this we shall not tolerate as traditional,” he said.
Thirty-three Chiefs and some members of the clergy including the Permanent Secretary were crowned as Champions of Voter Sensitization and Peaceful Elections in Luapula province.
In total agreement that we need peaceful elections, but chiefs should also stop taking partisan stances and issuing partisan statements. It dilutes the chieftainship and has potential to create divisions and anarchy in chiefdoms. Let Chiefs take their personal preferences to the ballot and not to the community including headmen, don’t be swayed by a bicycle please
I agree we need peace but chiefs should remain non partisan
You are one of those dividing people including your subjects but you are lamenting that people are divided over politics.
A bit too late, that our Chiefs are waking up now. Did it really need to get these chiefs to crowned as “Champions of Voter Sensitisation and Peaceful Elections” to take action? They are Champions by virtual of them being chiefs and they did not act. To me, this is an act of acknowledgement that things are really bad and have gotten out of control.
BTW: Why is Chief Chitimukulu urging traditional leaders in Luapula province to advocate for peaceful election campaigns, when he should be advocating for the Bemba people in Northern province? Doesn’t make sense.
This is good work. Voter apathy is a danger to democracy. We want a 93% voter turnout in all these areas where some recorded as low as 38%. Anyway sometimes you can’t blame the people, especially us that have been voting for a long time. The leadership bar has been reduced so low that even liars and other crooks are vying for leadership. So people aren’t seeing the benefits of voting. As for the youths, election time is parte time. They chase candidates for tokens to by junta. For others they’ve taken politics as a tribal war in which their tribe must triumph. Perhaps let’s introduce this line of education in schools otherwise we’re doomed as a nation
Is Chitimukulu going to Southern Province too?
How much are chiefs paid for each “sensitization” meetings? PF got so much money they were supposed to pay for helicopters to rallies. But now they can just give to chiefs to campaign for them.
Get rich chiefs.
@3 KALE SANA BATAMPA AMA CHIEFS FOR THIS ADVOCACY. IT IS YOU WHO HAS BEEN STURVING YOURSELF OFNEWS YA PA ZAMBIA.
@Wise Timing,
Ala bane, mulebelenga bwino, ala chisungu ichi.
“The Permanent Secretary said this at Mansa College of Education today at the Crowning of Traditional Leaders in Luapula as Champions of Voter Sensitisation and Peaceful Elections.”
Chitimuku is a pf cadre
Chitimukulu is a pf cadre…….
This is a man who can do anything for money,even if it means putting his integrity and that of the kingdom on the line.