President Urges Peaceful Vote, Welcomes Observers Ahead of Elections

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to turn out and vote peacefully as the country goes to the polls, assuring citizens that measures are firmly in place to ensure there will be no violence.

Speaking in an interview with ZNBC this morning, syndicated to broadcasters across the nation, the President said that the electoral process would be safeguarded. He appealed to all citizens to exercise their democratic right calmly and to respect one another regardless of political affiliation.

President Hichilema also welcomed the presence of local and international observer groups monitoring the elections, describing Zambia as a proud democracy. He said the country was honoured to host observers and that transparency was a hallmark of the nation's democratic credentials.

Reflecting on his first term, the President highlighted a series of achievements he said had transformed the lives of ordinary Zambians. Chief among them was the introduction of free education, which he said had returned millions of children to the classroom and eased the burden on struggling families.

He also pointed to the enhanced Constituency Development Fund, which has channelled resources directly into every constituency to drive local development, create jobs and empower communities.