UPND Opposes Rally Ban, Accuses PF Of Hypocrisy

The United Party for National Development has accused the government of exhibiting ‘hypocrisy’ and a ‘lack of respect for democracy’ after President Lungu instructed the police and Ministry of Health workers to enact a blanket ban on political rallies.

In a statement to the press, UPND presidential spokesperson Anthony Bwalya said it was “shocking” that the PF would clamp down on citizens wishing to exercise their democratic rights immediately after holding their own campaign rally in Lusaka, “without any regard for any public health regulations”.

He urged Zambian citizens to remember that “voting for the PF regime will render Zambia a country governed by the debauched and decadent conscience of one man without any regard for the rule of law”, referring to President Lungu. 

Yesterday, the president instructed officials to “ensure enforcement of the Covid-19 pandemic health regulations and guidelines” while addressing a crowd of hundreds of his own supporters outside the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. 

The comments came as the UPND Alliance plans to hold its own campaign launch event in Kitwe this Saturday. UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema has called the decision “hypocritical”, pointing out that the PF gathering was “more like a rally” than anything else.