By CHARITY MOONGA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed all Members of Parliament (MP) to return to their constituencies and lead awareness campaigns for people to obtain national registration cards (NRCs).
President Lungu says all MPs must ensure that they lead the mobilisation of all eligible persons to register for NRCs in order for them to be able to register as voters later this year.
This is contained in a statement issued by President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
President Lungu, who returned from Angola on Monday night, said in a statement that before Parliament resumes its sittings on June 16, he will take special interest in monitoring the performance of MPs in the awareness campaigns in their respective constituencies.
“It is a civic responsibility for every citizen to vote and one can only vote if one has obtained their national registration card. It is even a greater responsibility for MPs as elected officials to ensure that they mobilise people to register as voters,” he said.
It is particularly important, especially for Patriotic Front MPs to undertake the assignment as a mandatory obligation.
Meanwhile, the President has appointed former Local Government Permanent Secretary Christah Kalulu as chairperson of the Local Government Service Commission.
Mr Lungu has also appointed Stephen Chilatu as Ms Kalulu’s deputy.
President Lungu hopes that Ms Kalulu’s distinguished service in the public sector as Lusaka District Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, will spur her to deliver effectively in her new role.
Mr Chilatu’s public service in local government includes his tenure as Lusaka Mayor.
The other members appointed to the commission are Mwase Lungu, Maggie Sombo, Chinyama Kapihya and Bridget Nyau Sule.