UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has made a passionate call to voters especially the youth not to surrender their voter’s cards to anyone as August elections draw close.
Mr Hichilema said the UPND keep receiving reports of bogus people requesting its members to give them Voters Cards and even NRCs in exchange for money or other incentives.
“Fellow citizens, voting is a very important civic duty that determines the destiny of our country. Being denied an opportunity and the right to vote and decide the direction of your country’s destiny is a curse no-one should wish upon themselves, whatever the temptation,” Mr Hichilema said.
He added, “Let’s not fall prey to short-term incentives at the expense of the broader picture in deciding our leadership and our shared future.”
Mr Hichilema said there is currently no law that requires you to completely surrender a Voters Card or NRCs in order to access certain services such as money, loans or other facilities.
“May we educate our people that when they hear someone asking them to surrender their voting instruments, they must immediately report them to the nearest police station or our local structures on the ground so they can alert the authorities and follow up,” he said.
“We must also keep instructing our people, especially youths and those who have not voted before, on how to vote. Have a great day and God bless you all.”
And Mr Hichilema has embarked on a campaign tour of Eastern Province.
He is accompanied by his Vice President Canisius Banda and other senior party officials.
“We have left for Eastern Province this morning accompanied by our Vice-president Dr. Canisius Banda, while our other Vice-President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), former Commerce Minister Bob Sichinga, National Trustee Bernard Mpundu and other officials are already ahead having left yesterday in our continued party mobilisation activities.”
He added, “Our appeal to our members is that as we continue our party mobilisation activities across the country, it’s also important to sensitise our people on the importance of keeping their Voters Cards and NRCs safe.”
Meanwhile, Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has called on President Edgar Lungu to reverse his salary increase saying it is outrageous and selfish.
In a statement made available to media today, Mr. Hichilema said that President Lungu is enjoying a salary increase, from K414, 406 up to K447, 559 with an additional special annual allowance of K117, 648 adding that this is nothing short of an insult to the majority Zambians.
Mr. Hichilema has advised President Lungu to emulate President Buhari of Nigeria who, newly elected in 2015, recognised that his people are struggling and voluntarily cut his salary in half within weeks of coming to power.
He said that another good example is President Magufuli in Tanzania, who after being elected in October 2015 quickly cut the Cabinet down from 60 to 34 ministers, as well as cutting a planned retreat for ministers.
The UPND leader has since called on President Lungu to quickly reverse the decision and donate any additional benefit he has accumulated from the increase to date to charitable causes.
Below is the full statement
President Lungu Must Reverse His Salary Increase
Our people are distressed. It is hard to find a job, parents are struggling to put food on the table, families cannot find the money to send their children to school and basic healthcare is beyond the reach of the majority. Inflation has increased prices and the cost of living has gone up, meanwhile job losses have seen more and more families destitute and without hope.
At such times, a leader must apply austerity not only to the nation but at a personal level. The action of increasing one’s salary when the voters are suffering is not only outrageous but selfish. That President Lungu is enjoying a salary increase, from K414,406 up to K447,559 with an additional special annual allowance of K117,648, is nothing short of an insult to the majority who are suffering and the growing number who can’t afford three meals a day, let alone any of the many benefits he already enjoys just by virtue of his Office. What kind of leadership is this?
For many Zambians they may feel disappointed, upset and even angry at this latest revelation but will ask can we really expect any better from politicians. My answer to you is yes we can. Just look at President Buhari of Nigeria who, newly elected in 2015, recognised that his people are struggling and voluntarily cut his salary in half within weeks of coming to power. He also cut State House budget and allowances, recognising that this money would deliver much greater benefit to the people if spent in more productive areas.
Look also at the example set by President Magufuli in Tanzania, who after being elected in October 2015 quickly cut the Cabinet down from 60 to 34 ministers, as well as cutting a planned retreat for ministers. He has introduced specific restrictions on ministerial costs, from the refreshments they can enjoy at taxpayers’ expense to their mode of traffic – no more first class air tickets or limousines. Over in South America, Jose Mujica the former President of Uruguay set a truly admirable example by donating 90% of his $150,000 salary to charity and forgoing various expensive benefits such as a presidential motorcade.
So yes we can demand better of our leaders and we should demand better. It is in this light that we now call on President Lungu to quickly reverse the decision and donate any additional benefit he has accumulated from the increase to date to charitable causes.
These are not complex policy decisions. These are very simple measures that are both compassionate and show common sense. It is an honest duty to reflect on the times we live in and in this President Lungu is guilty of gross misjudgement.
President Lungu needs to do more than just this, however, he must also quickly share his plans with the Zambian public on how the majority can hope to earn any salary through job creation measures and how together we can fight rising inequality. Soon election season is coming and people will want to see his plans and he can be sure that they will be asking why plans and action on these fundamental and basic areas have not come sooner and no action has been taken to date.
Reverse that SI now, you have done it before, so it should not be a problem to reverse this particular SI.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
Dont’ sell your soul to the devil, dont sell Zambian mines. Dont buy gay rights from the West. Advise yourself first (HH)
HH doesnt look Presdeintial material.
His dressing is suspicious. Men in Europe wear 2 button breated suits NOT 3.
This is out of fashion and not wearing a tie is an 11th commandment in relations to influence.
I am not impressed with the man.
Let Miles Sampa take over UPND when if what I am hearing is true about a merger with the orange alliance
Miles has the Charisma, the right tribe and a taintless image. These are FACTS NOT fictions
Thanks
BB2014
Ni fashion ya nyoko?
How can Edgar Lungu increase his salary at such a time…what kind of leadership is this? when everyone else is tightening their belts….he is increasing his already heft salary. Edgar is in state house for self enrichment not to serve the people of Zambia
IF THINK THIS CHAP HH IS NOT BEING REAL, GET OUT U=I THINK YOU A INDEED UNDER FIVE POLITICIAN.
@1.1 mushota,
If a white man in Africa does not wear a tie ati he is casual, if it is a black man ati no fashion.
LUNGU IS A THIEF AND A CRIMINAL. I HAVE TIME AND AGAIN SHARED MY CONVICTION WITH YOU PEOPLE THAT LUNGU DOES NOT LOVE US THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE, BUT JUST LOVES THE WEALTH WHICH OUR COUNTRY HAS. JUST LOOK AT HOW SUDDENLY LUNGU HAS BECOME VERY RICH. LOOK AT A VERY HUGE SALARY TO HIMSELF AND THE MANY ALLOWANCES THAT HE KEEPS GOBBLING EVERY BLESSED DAY. MEANWHILE, OUR CHILDREN ARE LANGUISHING IN THE STREETS BECAUSE LUNGU CLOSED THEIR SCHOOLS FOR NOT PAYING THEM MEAL ALLOWANCES. ZAMBIANS WAKE UP! STOP BEING DECEIVED EVERY TIME BY THESE GREEDY FEW. KICK THEM OUT OF POWER THIS AUGUST. VOTE FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT. LET US TRY HH AND UPND. MY CONVICTION IS THAT THEY WILL DO A FAR MUCH BETTER JOB.
Edgar Lungu’s salary was last adjusted in 2013.The current adjustment is a mere equivalent to US$304.00 per month or US$10.13 per day.In percentage terms,the increase is around 8% ( eight percent ).Even if it is votes that HH WANTS,this is not an issue to raise one’s blood pressure BASA!!!!!
Ifinso ukufina, goodness me. Where are the good looking guys in Zambia to stand for president? No one looks presidential among the candidates very ugly!
I have a clear message to all those still holding to COPSE(PF) …Watch for 25th June,2016.A sign to all will be given by God of armies Jehova to all that PF is dead and HH and UPND are wining.Mark my words.
“Mr Hichilema said the UPND keep receiving reports of bogus people requesting its members to give them Voters Cards and even NRCs in exchange for money or other incentives.”
HH, BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN. THOSE ARE FOREIGNERS (mostly congolese) TRYING TO BUY IDs FROM IGNORANT ZAMBIANS. DO NOT POLITICISE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE FOREIGNERS, WHY DON’T YOU REPORT THE MATTER TO POLICE, AS THIS IS A POLICE CASE. HONESTLY, YOU ARE NOT A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN. PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM CONGO AND YOU CAN’T EVEN GUESS WHO ARE TRYING TO BUY WHAT.
ndiwe HH wamene ugula ma voters card, i can prove to the Zambian people if you refuse.
Incoming president HH
It’s upnd buying voter’s cards and not any other
@ Mr Kudo… chakubaba the way HH is methodical in his approach to issues. Lol
August is around the corner.A party of a diversity of Zambian interlectuals is coming to rescue the hopeless state of affairs
I MET GBM YESTERDAY AT CHONGWE MARKET TRYING HARD TO BE NOTICED BUT THE PEOPLE IGNORED THE MAN. I ACTUALLY FELT FOR HIM THAT THE MAN IS TRYING TO IMPRESS HH BY BUYING THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM BUT THEY WILL DO HIM THE SAME LIKE THEY DID AT THE PF CONVENTION WHERE SAMPA HUMBLED HIM USING GBM MEMBERS THAT HE FERRIED BY BOOKING BUSES TO BRING THE DELEGATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. UMULEMBWE WACIPUBA UPWILA MULI TUMFWEKO AND THATS HOW I SEE THIS MAN MONEY FINISHING COZ HE WILL NEVER WIN GOVT CONTRACT WERE HE USED TO HUGE PROFITS THROUGH FAKE DEALS. AFTER CHONGWE HE CONTINUED HIS JOURNEY TO CHIPATA SO THAT HE MOVES AS ADVANCE PARTY DELEGATION LEADER AND BUY PEOPLE TO GO WELCOME HH AT MFUWE AIRPORT TODAY. HH, DONT TRUST GBM HE IS SMEARING BUTTER ON YOUR FACE ATI YOU HAVE NUMBERS, I SEE YOU COLLAPSING…
WELL, JUST LET THE SLEEPING ‘FAT DOG’ LIE. HE WILL WAKE UP AFTER 11 AUGUST, 2016 AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE OBVIOUS ABOUT THE DESTINY OF HH AND UPND. SOMEONE WHO THINKS CAN’T JOIN THE PARTY WHICH WIN IN ONE PROVINCE, ONLY. THAT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TELL ONE THAT THERE’S SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG.
Our in coming President,don’t worry our voters cards are in safe custody. We will use them in shaping a great future for our cchildren. These are weapons we have & we will use them in sending characters like Kambwili,RB,Lungu and friends who have taken us for granted. They have gone too far !!! Only time will tell.
Na bashi NONO IS ALSO IN UPND.
I really don’t trust that these Former PF crooks NOW in UPND are there to build the party.
They ARE purely in it to lose HH the elections. Ignore my intuition ba UPND, and YOU are extinct in August.
Fish them out NOW!!!
Numbers count iwe. Every single vote is important at this moment. Everyone is fighting for 50 + 1.
I let me borrow what a useless writer commented’o let Miles Sampa take over UPND I hear they want to merge’ he is of a right tribe. The one whose comment I coated is a dog who does not think. Which tribe is special here I feel like vomiting when I hear about tribal remarks. School is very important. Reapeat this useless comment you will see.
Edgar Lungu has also increased his salary amidst a collapsing economy. For sure this man has no vision. Anyway in UPND we say Mpaka Lintente ×3 Mpaka fye Litulike!! Is our new song mwaana!
You Chaps ba UPND, stop using Mpakalitente. That is our Slogan as Mighty Mufulira Wanderers!!!!! Find your own slogan chaps!
Reply
PEOPLE NOW HAVE TWO CARDS EACH ONE IS FOR SALE TO UPND k750/card THE OTHER ONE IS FOR USE.
YOU BUY BUY AS USUAL WE SHALL EACH YOUR MONEY AND VOTE AGAINST YOU GONNA LOOSE MONEY AND ELECTIONS
Backdating pay after a pay rise is but a dream for the majority of citizens in these rocky days. With potential austerity measures on the way it seems ED actually has a forward thinking vision… when it comes to his pocket.
Any bloggers in Brussels? Stay safe.
All civil servants salaries have been adjusted, hence, forthwith…
Its interesting to note that HH’s entourage is full of other tribes -Banda, GBM, Sichinga, Mpundu.Is this a sign of who will be in his Cabinet?
NO. IT IS THE SIGN OF WHOM HE WOULD CLEANSE IF, IN THE UNLIKELY CIRCUMSTANCE, HE WINS THE ELECTION. NOW, HE HAS TO FRONT. SO THESE (Banda, GBM, Sichinga, Mpundu) ARE VULTURES WHO ARE PATIENTLY WAITING FOR A BOMBSHELL. THEY ARE JUST TO FRONT THE PARTY AND GIVE IT AN IMPRESSION OF MULTI-TRIBE.
HH is now sidelining his fellow tongas. He will lose because of his new found friend gbm. Tongas don’t like this. They prefer being alone with their tribesmates.
@ HH Techilema
Wasted breath! Seems you can’t articulate anything without alluding to your failed tribal trump card!
I’m almost sure you’re Chishimba Kambwili, if not them I pity your myopic paradigm because sound just as dull as the NOT SO HONORABLE honorable.
Increment when unza students meal allowance has been decreased to zero, people’s,s salaries are decreased to zero due to rentrenchment, poverty is still high, living conditions are poor, no tap water, no toilet, cholera, thieves are on rampage, people are murdered by criminals, thieves have a field day stealing from people
You Chaps ba UPND, stop using Mpakalitente. That is our Slogan as Mighty Mufulira Wanderers!!!!! Find your own slogan chaps!
@ kolwe kolwe, UPND can also win “at dawn” this year. They will be called Mighty UPND “wine uchungulo.” ( forgive my bemba )
HH please, there you go again. How many things have you promised Zambians sure? And the waste part of your ranting is that you have never provided your own roadmap to economic prosperity to clearly can make you the option to President Lungu.
Are you not the same man who not long ago was busy insulting and belittling the two men you have now given vice presidents’ position? Well, as we get closer and closer to 11 August 2016, do be surprised to hear from HH that UPND will be giving Zambians free electricity and mealie meal. Watch this space. HH and UPND are PATHOLOGICAL liars and they are confused.
Now he is accusing the youths of selling their voters card, just how, no one can understand this Satanist.
TRUTH, HH WILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA.
I suspect HH did that at some point especially in neganega 100% voter turn out.this time shall call it katete formula and you will cry.
Tribalism has taken over Zambia Eishhhhhh – hate and more hatred for fellow Zambians. TRIBAL ISSUES
Its HH mpaka ltente mpa litulike bane
You Chaps ba UPND, stop using Mpakalitente. That is our Slogan as Mighty Mufulira Wanderers!!!!! Find your own slogan chaps!
The dirt scumbag Ichilema and the unkept kamwenfu.
HH only got 75% voters in Southern Province. Not all Tongas voted for him – just like not all Bembas will vote for Lungu and kambwili.
JUST VOTE FOR THE PERSON YOU LIKE – THAT IS WHAT THEY CALL DEMOCRACY. KEEP LUNGU IN POWER IF YOU MUST.
BY THE WAY…. REMEMBER NO ONE IS FORCED TO VOTE…! YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO STAY AWAY.
Akakontolola! He will fix the economy that has been messed up , don’t doubt. viva HH.
Okay nanga in salary ya nyoko hypocrite. How much does the lowest employee at your farm and businesses get. Gluttonous HH a pay check remains somebody’s private affair. Grow up. Yes you are right on this other one, somebody’s voters card also remains a private affair.
Okay nanga in salary ya nyoko hypocrite? How much does the lowest employee at your farm and businesses get. Gluttonous HH a pay cheque remains somebody’s private affair. Grow up. Yes you are right on this other one, somebody’s voters card also remains a private affair.
HH really wants to undress ECL. Mmmmmmmh yabija makani basa! Race to plot 1. Bola panshi.
LUNGU WILL NE ANOTHER KALUASHA BWALYA.LOL AUGAST IS AROUND THE CORNER WINA A ZANIA OIL THIS YEAR.hh FAKA SPEED.
HH too much talking….pls shut up you devil worshipper, you should have thought of the end result of selling companies, The companies you sold with Chiluba. And declare the properties you have never declared after privatization to is today.
IWE KA WRUNGU I WILL GO FOR YOUR THROAT JUST QUITY,YOU ARE SUCH AS A CLUELESS,VISIONLESS,BRAINLESS,USELESS ,HOPELESS AND A DRUNKARD. HOW ON EARTH A SWINDLER CAN BE HEAD OF THE NATION.
You have heard,never sell your voters card for chibuku.
Lungu looting our resources, that what you get Zambians voting for a poor failed chawama lawyer. He is busy enjoying the life he couldn’t not afford before and the worst thing about being a PF carder is you just have to support anything Lungu does even if he helped himself to your wife. Kudo and HH techilema need help, they are so brainwashed about Lungu, when the dude is just another drunkard masquerading as a president. Lungu is far from a saint.
U can talk all you want you haters but enough is enough. We have suffered pafula! Ni HH chabe!
Hey HH’s appearance is really bad!!WITH ALL HIS MONEY,HH CANNOT FIND A DRESSER?HE LOOKS VERY VERY DIRTY,OH MY GOD!!I CAN NEVER WASTE MY VOTE ON THIS EVIL MAN!!I AND ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS SHALL VOTE FOR PF ON 11/08/2016!!!whatever hh says do not make sense to me as all i see in him is desperation for plot 1 so that he can come and auction mother Zambia-GOD FORBID!!”IFINTU NI LUNGU!!!”
There is a blogger who seems to have a serious crush on Miles. This man has a partner and a family, please leave him alone and focus on the social, economic and political situation of the country.
Eddy u are very stupid, HH is rich but he is not a proud bustard like u *****
Pf, careful upnd has been buying voters cards from pf strong holds to defranchise them,but this time people are alert two cards each they buy one the other will be used to vote for lungu abesu.
This year vote yami ikekala ya lungu navotelan’ga hh nima mps, kosi mudimu anakwila chin’a kubobola ho na nfulumende etu tunakuken’a development.
To them party first people last the one who goes for govt development becomes there enemy primitive thugs