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Republican Progressive Party (RPP) leader, Leslie Chikuse, has criticised opposition parties for attempting to discredit the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) and politicise the 2022 Census of Population and Housing report.
Chikuse described their actions as reckless and unnecessary, urging opposition leaders to respect the professionalism and integrity of ZamStats, which had played a critical role in shaping national policies and guiding development programmes.
In a statement issued on Monday, Chikuse defended ZamStats as a well-established institution whose work has been fundamental in informing decisions on urban planning, social services, infrastructure development, and voter registration.
“While every institution is open to scrutiny, it is irresponsible for the opposition to cast doubt on the entire census process for political gain,” he said.
He accused opposition leaders of sensationalising the issue to remain politically relevant, arguing that ZamStats had consistently provided accurate data that informed government policy.
Chikuse warned that continued attacks on the census findings could mislead the public and erode trust in national institutions.
He called on political stakeholders, including civil society, to act responsibly and ensure that governance was driven by facts rather than political convenience.
“The reality is that the UPND government has been delivering tangible development, and the opposition knows it is losing public support. Instead of misleading citizens and attacking credible institutions, they should focus on crafting policies that offer better alternatives,” he said.
Chikuse also dismissed opposition calls for an independent review of the census findings, stating that existing institutional mechanisms were already addressing concerns.
Read More: Opposition, civil rights activist demand independent probe into 2022 census report
He urged opposition leaders to engage in constructive discussions rather than creating an artificial crisis, accusing them of introducing a false narrative about election rigging to discredit the democratic process.
“The UPND government has allowed governance institutions to operate independently, unlike the interference seen under the Patriotic Front. This administration won on a clean slate and will win again next year because of President Hakainde Hichilema’s tangible development,” he said.
Chikuse urged opposition leaders to contribute to national development instead of undermining a professionally conducted census.
“If they genuinely care about the country, they should focus on solutions rather than trying to delegitimize an institution that has operated with professionalism,” he added.
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