Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Steven Katuka
Police in Kitwe have canceled the UPND rally that was slated for Saturday 14th May 2016 to launch their campaigns officially.
UPND Secretary General Steven Katuka tells QFM News that regrettably the police in Kitwe and the Kitwe City Council have advised the party that they will not be allowed to hold the rally at Freedom Park on Saturday 14th May, despite giving more than one months notice to the authorities.
Mr. Katuka says the reason given by the police is that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has declared that the official campaign period only begins on 16th May, 2016.
He says this is despite the fact that the PF has held a number of public rallies across the country in recent weeks, from Chipata to Mazabuka saying it is clear that the PF have had a free reign from the police in recent months to travel round the country and campaign without obstruction.
He adds that the UPND and fellow opposition parties have had their meetings forcefully and unlawfully disrupted and been prevented from appearing on radio and TV on several occasions.
Mr. Katuka says the inconsistency with which the police act from town to town is creating a confusing landscape in which trust and clear understanding of the rules is all but impossible.
The UPND Secretary General has since announced that the rally has been postponed for now and that the general public will be informed on details to follow.