Traditional ruler, Waitwika, commends peaceful campaigns ahead local government by-elections

Chieftains Waitwika of the Namwanga people of Nakonde District has thanked political parties taking part in the Luchinde and Mulalo Local Government by-elections for conducting peaceful campaigns.

Chieftainess Waitwika noted that the campaigns in the two wards within her chiefdom were proceeding peacefully as political parties canvassed for votes in various villages.

Speaking when Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, paid a courtesy call at her palace in Waitwika Village, the traditional ruler expressed hope that voting would also proceed peacefully.

“Violence has no place in society as people in Nakonde live as one family. I also want to thank the government for embarking on the construction of my palace,” she said.

Waitwika added that government’s decision to construct palaces countrywide had made traditional leaders happy.

Meanwhile, there were smiles and jubilation as the ruling UPND campaign team and opposition Patriotic Front (PF) campaign teams met at Kasongwa Village while campaigning.

Technology and Science Minister, who was leading the UPND campaign team, hugged and shook hands with Nakonde Member of Parliament Luka Simumba, who was leading the PF campaign team.

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Mutati said the atmosphere in Nakonde demonstrated that politics was a competition of ideas and not violence.

“The government wants to see the conducive environment prevailing in Nakonde continue,” he stated.

In his remarks, Simumba said the reason peace was prevailing in the two ward by-elections is because the PF recognized President Hakainde Hichilema and has no problem campaigning alongside other parties.

“Nakonde is well known for peace, and campaigns will continue being peaceful until voting tomorrow,” he said.

The people of Luchinde and Mulalo Wards would go to the polls on July 13, 2024, to elect their two civic leaders.

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