You can’t force voters, warns ex-UPND leader
By Mast Reporter
FORMER United Party for National Development (UPND) Eastern Province trustee James Banda says Zambians should be free to choose leaders of their choice without being coerced into supporting anyone imposed on them.
Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Banda said the ruling party must uphold the democratic principles that brought it to power, warning that attempts to suppress independent voices or dictate candidate choices would backfire.
“UPND came into power using the vessel of democracy, so it won’t appear well when some sectors of society start saying whoever is left out of adoption won’t go independent. That shows signs of dictatorship,” Banda said.
He urged the party to allow citizens and members to elect leaders they have confidence in, instead of imposing candidates on them.
“Let the people speak, let the people talk, that’s what democracy is all about. If we want credible MPs in Parliament, let’s cleanse our party through genuine intra-party elections. People must choose their own council chairpersons, councillors, MPs, and the President,” he said.
Banda appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to trust his performance and not fear independent candidates.
“The President should not worry about winning if he has performed. What’s important is to ensure that adoptions are done on merit, not selfish motives. The party should go for people supported by the electorate, those the people want to represent them,” he said.
Banda cautioned that ignoring the voices of the grassroots during adoptions could cost the UPND politically.
“If we don’t adopt those wanted by the masses, we may end up back in opposition,” Banda warned.
Banda described threats to block UPND members from contesting as independents as “catastrophic” and “dangerous” for both the party and the President.
“When a party has independent candidates who still support the President, it’s a plus, not a threat. Blocking them will only drive them to back the opposition. Let the people’s will prevail, we can’t force voters to support someone they don’t want. It doesn’t work like that,” he said.
Banda’s remarks come in the wake of President Hichilema’s expression of concern over the challenge of governing with independent MPs instead of UPND MPs.
