UPND welcomes ‘No Constitution, No vote Campaign’

United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema says the move taken by the Grand Coalition to launch a ‘No Constitution, No Vote’ campaign is welcome.

The initiative will seek to decampaign candidates that have not signed the Social Contract pledging to deliver a new constitution if elected president on 20 January 2015.

The opposition leader said, in a media statement, that given the track record of previous governments in delivering the long-promised new constitution, it was only right for candidates in the forthcoming election to commit, in writing, to what they are saying, as his party did back in November

“We very much welcomed the opportunity to sign the Social Contract as this supports our broader commitment to form an open and accountable government,” he said.

“It is also an important step in developing and maintaining a consultative relationship with civil society organisations that recognises that government exists to serve the people and their needs and wants, and not its own interests. In matters such as the constitution, and in particular delivering a people driven constitution, being guided by civil society organisations and platforms such as the Grand Coalition is essential,” he continued.

“We call on Zambians to consider why some candidates are unwilling to sign the Social Contract. Do they have so little faith in their own promises and ability to deliver that they are afraid to sign? And if so is that the type of government we want? I think we can all agree that Zambia deserves better.”