CARITAS ZAMBIA CONCERNED OVER PRESIDENT' HICHILEMA`S ALLEGED MASKING OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES AS WORKING VISITS
By Elesani Phiri
Caritas Zambia has expressed disappointment over President Hakainde Hichilema's alleged masking of his campaign activities in various provinces as "working visits," saying it fears the ruling party may be utilizing taxpayers' money to facilitate these activities.
Speaking to Phoenix News in an interview, Caritas Zambia Executive Director Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga says such strategies create an unfair campaign environment for other political parties, particularly those in the opposition.
Fr. Mapulanga has also noted the Electoral Commission of Zambia –ECZ's move to exempt President Hichilema from the official campaign schedule, explaining that this gives him the liberty to move around and campaign without regulation, further giving him an advantage ahead of the August polls.
Fr. Mapulanga has described as unfair the recent postponement of opposition parties' rallies on the pretext that the President or the Vice President was scheduled to visit the same province on a working visit.
He has however acknowledged that the President is entitled to enjoy these constitutional provisions but says there is need to revisit such clauses and ensure that the Head of State has limited privileges, especially during the election period.
PHOENIX NEWS