- Tells envoys Aug 13 general election will be peaceful, transparent
MATHEWS MALAZIKA
Lusaka
PRESDIENT Hakainde Hichilema has assured diplomats accredited to Zambia that the country will hold a peaceful, transparent and credible general election on August 13 this year.
The head of State cited the recently held parliamentary by-election in Chawama, whose process was characterised by a peaceful atmosphere, as a shift from what he termed as “panga” politics experienced previously.
He was addressing ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Zambia during the annual greetings of the diplomatic corps yesterday.
“I know there is anxiety, but I want to assure you that in 2026 there will be credible, peaceful and transparent elections. I’m sure you are following what is happening in by-elections,” Mr Hichilema said.
“Who wins it does not matter because the democratic process allows the opposition and the ruling party to win. There is a by-election in Kasama today (yesterday) and whoever wins, democracy wins.”
He added: “We had an election in Chawama and most of you are not aware that Chawama was a source of [panga] politics in this country.
“The pangas [machetes] in politics were born in a constituency called Chawama in Lusaka, and there were elections there, there were no such things [violence]. This is our commitment to peace, security and stability.”
President Hichilema said the August 13 general election should not be a source of worry for ambassadors and high commissioners and appealed for their support.
He also discussed the recent reforms in the country’s Constitution which will allow 20 women, 15 youth and five persons with disabilities to be in Parliament after August with or without winning the election.
“I want to thank all of you for supporting our debt restructuring agenda, which we are now around 94 percent,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said 2025 was a special year because of the things his administration managed to achieve, ranging from governance to stabilising the economic fundamentals…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/
