PRESIDENT Lungu will be the Patriotic Front (PF) presidential candidate in the 2016 elections and members should direct their efforts on strengthening the ruling party’s membership, says PF chairperson for elections Emmanuel Musonda.
Mr Musonda says the party is now taking root in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds.
In an interview during the week, Mr Musonda said all lower organs of the ruling party have been directed to hold elections and conclude the exercise by the end of June 2015.
“We are strengthening the party through holding of elections and everyone will be subjected to elections. All sections, wards, constituencies and districts must hold elections by June this year, and then we shall have provincial conferences that will culminate in the general conference next year.
“We are not going to hold Presidential elections at the conference since President Lungu was given a five- year mandate but all central committee positions will be subjected to elections except the Vice-Presidency, which is a prerogative of the President to appoint someone,” he said.
He urged aspiring candidates wishing to be adopted as Members of Parliament to wait for the right time.
“They should not confuse the structures by starting campaigns to challenge incumbent MPs, the right time will come when the adoption process will be opened, For now, let the MPs fulfil their mandate,” Mr Musonda said.
He said the PF was now being rebranded to ensure victories in any election that would be held.
“We are taking root in areas that were difficult; it is gratifying to record victories in areas that were UPND and ADD strongholds in Western Province. We are also happy that the partnership with MMD is working well, ” Mr Musonda said.
The ruling party recently scooped the Masaiti and Senga Hill seats, which were previously held by the MMD. The PF also defended the Chawama seat and also won five out of nine ward seats that were previously held by opposition parties.
