This afternoon Mr. Hichilema addressed a press briefing at Moba Hotel in Kitwe. He covered a number of issues from violence to the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court that PF ministers have continued in office illegally and must now pay back all the money they owe to the Zambian people.

Following attempts by the PF to cancel the UPND’s final rallies and further attacks on supporters, including the UPND youth team travelling by bus in Mtendere yesterday, Mr. Hichilema put the question to Lungu ‘What are you afraid off to be behaving like this?’. He called for institutions, such as ZICTA and the Zambia Police, to resist being abused and misused by Lungu so as to deny citizens their rights.

Mr. Hichilema called for calm saying: “I want to say thank you to all UPND members who have behaved calmly in the face of provocation during the campaign period and I want to ask you to continue on like this.”

He explained the significance of the Constitutional Court ruling of Monday 8th August as evidence that Lungu has benefitted from state resources during the campaign. He said, however, while the campaign period had not been free and fair President Lungu should make sure he doesn’t interfere with the election itself, or he will find himself being ruled against in the courts.

Not only has the Constitutional Court now ruled against Lungu, but in the last 24 hours the High Court has ruled in the UPND’s favour on PF attempts to have the rally in Kitwe’s Freedom Park cancelled, as well as the ongoing matter with ZNBC on the airing of the UPND’s documentary entitled ‘Hakainde Hichilema – The Man, The Vision, The Plan’. Mr. Hichilema explained that this in combination with the UPND’s plan to protect the vote and commitment by our supporters to turnout in great numbers on Thursday will take the party to a conclusive first round victory.

8 UPND CADRES WERE ASSAULTED BY PF CADRES IN MTENDERE COMPOUND, SAYS POLICE IG

EIGHT members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) have been assaulted in clashes between their party and the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres.

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has confirmed in a statement today that the eight were injured during a political violence between the two political parties at Zambeef in Mtendere compound yesterday.

Kanganja says the incident happened when the PF cadres were waiting for their parliamentary candidate Nkandu Luo while the UPND cadres were passing through dropping their political fliers.

The IG has named the eight injured UPND supporters as Austin Simweene aged 21 of Bauleni compound, Peter Mukupa of Mtendere East, Kebby Muchala Lungwe aged 29 also of Mtendere East, Thomas Phiri of Bauleni compound, and David Mweemba Malama of Bauleni compound.

Others are Tyson Zulu of Kalikiliki, Mildred Kailu aged 46 of Kalingalinga, and Obert Hankamba aged 37 of Mtendere compound.

“During the same confusion, two Samsung phones valued at K7 000, K18 000 cash and a laptop valued at K5 000 all property of Kosamu Tembo are reported to have been stolen,” Kanganja says.

“A public address system valued at K15 000 belonging to Panot Ngandu of Mtendere compound was also stolen.”

He says medical report forms were issued to those who were injured and that dockets will be opened as soon as complainants take back the said documents.

“We have instituted investigations in the matter and whoever will be found wanting will be dealt with accordingly irrespective of their political affiliation,” says Kanganja.

President Edgar Lungu has said he is not in charge of the Zambia National Broadcasting Services (ZNBC) despite being the Head of State.

President Lungu reiterated that his role is to provide free, fair and credible elections so that people elect for themselves the leader they want.

The Head of State said this in Lusaka today when the European Union Observer Mission paid a courtesy call on him.

President Lungu said he does not control or direct the coverage of stories by ZNBC and neither does he control the content, of the public broadcaster as the institution is independent of its operations.

President Lungu said many times he has been accused that he influences the content of the National Broadcaster when in fact not.

He said ZNBC is run by the Independent Board of Directors, and execute their duties diligently without interference from government.

President Lungu said he has not stopped the opposition rallies and he has not restricted them access to the media in the country.

He said ZNBC also has its own editorial content and ethical standards which cannot be challenged by the government.

President Lungu said all the Rallies that are aired on ZNBC are fully paid for by the PF and are not aired for free as perceived by the general public and some opposition political parties.

The Head of State said the EU Observer Missions always gives one sided stories, which are not balanced and aimed at tarnishing the image of the country.

Meanwhile President Lungu has maintained that police have the discretion not to allow political parties to hold rallies, if the Head of State is in a certain area.

President Lungu said the police have always maintained that having two or more political parties in an area compromises security, which results in some rallies being postponed.

He said the opposition is complaining about postponement of their rallies because they fear that they are losing the elections.

The Head of State said he has a duty to maintain order because, peace, order and democracy need to co-exist in an election period.

President Edgar Lungu has implored election observers in the country to stop transmitting falsehood about the electoral process to their institutions.

President Lungu says observers should instead verify the information they gather with all concerned parties.

The President says it is disturbing that some observers are transmitting lies told by the opposition UPND.

President Lungu says he has on several occasion pledged to deliver a free, transparent, and fair election and that his position will not change.

The President says the opposition UPND has just failed to sell their message to the electorates hence the desperate attempts to mislead the International community.

President Lungu has since challenged the observer missions to interrogate information they obtain from political players and other stakeholders with relevant authorities.

The President also encouraged election Overseers to find out why UPND is saying they will not accept defeat after this Thursday’s poll.

President Lungu said this at State House today when he held meetings with four observer missions.

And African Union head of mission Goodluck Jonathan says his team is impressed and satisfied with the process so far.

Mr. Jonathan who is also former Nigerian President said he is hopeful that Zambia will maintain its good reputation of holding free and fair election.

He has however urged all Presidential candidates to accept the outcome of the elections.

Meanwhile former Mauritius President, Cassam Uttem says Zambia should remain the beacon of peace in Africa after the polls.

Mr. Uttem who is heading the delegation of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa -EISA- observer mission said his team is equally satisfied with the process.

President Lungu also held talks with European and Commonwealth observer mission delegates

With only a few days remaining before Zambians go to cast their vote on 11th August 2016 to elect a new set of Leaders and Vote alongside the Referendum, JCTR Livingstone has urged the electorates to vote wisely on 11th August, 2016 general elections and vote on issues that will enhance the quality of living of every Zambian especially the poor.

JCTR Livingstone Outreach Regional Officer Gorge Makaha says it is imperative that the casting of votes is based on issues relating to availability and accessibility of adequate nutrition and quality social services to the majority Zambians.

Mr Makaha said from the standpoint of the electorate, election time is meant to critically analyse party manifestoes and right candidates who will contribute towards changing the harsh living conditions that our people find themselves in and such candidates should be “servant of the people” who attend to the needs of those who elect them.

He said If the process of elections is to be meaningful to Zambian households they must be seen to be creating positive changes in as far as improving the household’s ability to access basic needs is concerned.

“JCTR’s belief is that the duty of the electorates should go beyond the actual voting to actively participate in all forms of governance processes after the elections. Specifically, electorates must make government accountable and measure its’ success by evaluating their performance on the basis of the promises made during the campaigns.

“The future of our country over the next five years now lies in the BALLOT BOX”. We hope it is a future that will guarantee prosperity for all. Only creditable, honesty and humble leaders can ensure that hope for prosperity is equitably shared amongst the 14 million plus inhabitants that live within our borders,”he said.

And according to JCTR the basic needs basket in Livingstone slowed down in July by almost K 7.14“At the end of July 2016, the BNB for livingstone for family of five showed a reduction of K3, 852.83 from K3, 852.83 recorded in June 2016.

“The average cost is too high for most households to adequately meet essential household needs” said Mr. Makaha

MMD’s other national secretary has called on people to ignore calls by the UPND for people not to vote in the referendum and ensure that they turn up in numbers.

Speaking when he featured on Zambezi FM in Livingstone Raphael Nakacinda said the calls by the UPND for people to boycott voting referendum was unreasonable because the referendum was not in any way connected to any party but ensuring that some rights are granted constitutionally.

Mr Nakacinda said the UPND have resorted in calling for a boycott in the referendum because the PF had taken away what they wanted to use as a campaign tool.

He said the cries by the UPND are sour grapes because they are the same party who advocated for the enactment of the new constitution and that the PF have done that they have chosen to U-turn from their own advocacy.

“What the UPND is doing is just sour grapes because these are the same people who calling for the new constitution to be enacted. They wanted to use the constitution as a campaign tool but now that it has been given to the Zambian people they don’t have anything use in their campaign messages.

“The referendum is not for the PF but for Zambians and anyone who tells people not to vote in a referendum does not mean well. Mr Hichilema and his party should be advocating for the improvement of lives of many children because that’s what it entails to vote in a referendum.

“The are many rights that will be granted to mothers and children such as the right to education which will ensure that all Zambian children can go to school without being chased for any reason,” he said.

Government has declared Thursday August 11, 2016 a public holiday to facilitate the holding of the general elections and referendum.

Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska announced the development in a press statement issued to media.

Dr Msiska has however directed institutions providing essential services to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the provision of such services are not disrupted on the polling day.