AS the clock ticks fast towards the January 20 presidential election, the race to Plot One has also reached fever pitch.
During the run-up to this election, which is being held after the death of fifth Republican President Michael Sata, we have witnessed several key figures in the Zambian political arena endorsing their preferred candidates.
These endorsements of presidential aspirants have now become a common phenomenon on the local political front.
However, it is saddening to see our traditional leaders also joining the fray by endorsing their preferred political candidates.
The Zambian Constitution bars traditional leaders from engaging in partisan politics.
Last week, chiefs from Southern Province openly endorsed the candidature of United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema, for the forthcoming poll.

. Mukuni

Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the province.
The action by the south chiefs came just a few days after Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern Province announced his endorsement of ruling Patriotic Front (PF) presidential candidate, Edgar Lungu.
Clearly, this is not one of the roles of our traditional leaders.
Therefore, Chief Chipepo of the Tonga people in Gwembe District is right to condemn his counterparts who have endorsed their preferred presidential candidates for the January 20 election.
Chief Chipepo rightly noted that by endorsing the candidates for the election, the traditional leaders were in breach of the Constitution.
He said the endorsement of candidates by traditional leaders was breaching the provisions of the Zambian Constitution which bars chiefs from engaging in partisan politics.
The chief castigated the move by his counterparts to openly endorse preferred candidates when they needed to be non-partisan and refrain from commenting on political matters.
Chief Chipepo said if chiefs took a leading role in endorsing preferred candidates, it would be one way of promoting tribalism when this country was one founded under the motto ‘One Zambia One Nation.’
Indeed, our traditional leaders need to heed the call by Chief Chipepo to remain non-partisan but instead be ready to partner with the Government of the day in folstering national development.
Traditional leaders play a critical role in national development as they understand their chiefdoms better and can properly advise the Government on the appropriate developments that need to be taken to their areas.
So as we count down to the January 20 election, our chiefs should help the nation by uniting the masses and pray for the peaceful poll.