• President Edgar Lungu (left) addresses a rally in Chifubu Constituency of Ndola yesterday.
PICTURE by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

By JAMES KUNDA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has warned the Zambia Police Service command to ensure that political violence is dealt with before next week’s general elections.
The Head of State said the police should act on perpetrators of the vice because the country wanted peace before, during and after the polls.
Mr Lungu was speaking in Ndola’s Chifubu Township  yesterday when he addressed a campaign rally to drum up support for the Patriotic Front (PF) ahead of the elections.
The President, who was accompanied by First Lady Esther, was treated to a thunderous welcome by the jubilant crowd.
President Lungu was referring to incidences in which PF sympathisers in some parts of the country were being attacked by United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.
“I will watch very closely and carefully to ensure marked improvement in the fight against political violence.
“If there will be no improvement, heads will roll in the Zambia police,” the President warned.
Mr Lungu said the PF had successfully fulfilled its development mission for Zambia as per foundation laid by founding father Michael Sata.
President Lungu urged the people to vote for all PF aspiring Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors.
On the Ndola Central parliamentary seat, the PF is fielding Emmanuel Mulenga while in Kabushi Constituency, the ruling party has fielded Bowman Lusambo.
Mr Lungu also introduced PF Chifubu Constituency aspiring MP Frank N’gambi and Jonas Chanda for Bwana Mukubwa.
At the same rally, Mr Sata’s niece Hildah said the family of the PF founder was behind the candidature of Mr Lungu.
Others who spoke at the event, supporting the President were PF members Samuel Mukupa, Chishimba Kambwili and Mwenya Musenge among others.
Soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya also spoke in favour of the Head of State, with his sentiments echoing those of PF sympathisers Dan Pule, Wright Musoma, Cosmo Mumba and Peter Chanda who were all in attendance.
The message of development also reached the people of Kalulushi where the Head of State told the electorate that PF was the only reliable political party.
“Mwe bekala chalo, nkwetefye utumashiwi utunono (country men and women, I have very few words for you.
“Vote for PF because you have seen what we have done in the last five years. Mwiumfwila Ba mukukulu abashakwata fisuma ifyakulanda pali PF (do not listen to crooked people who have nothing good to say about PF,” said President Lungu as the people responded in agreement.
Mr Lungu urged the people of Kalulushi to vote for area aspiring MP Kampamba Mulenga.
And winding up his first day of rallies on the Copperbelt, Mr Lungu addressed another huge crowd in Mufulira.
The Head of State used the opportunity to challenge election observers in the country to be impartial.
Mr Lungu said he was a proponent of democracy and  election observers should not judge him based on hearsay from critics.
“Nelyo twachilaisa kuno (as we were coming here), a group of UPND cadres were passing along the same route and started mocking us. That is provocation.
“Even some media institutions are insulting me but I just look because I am a peace loving democrat. So I appeal to  election observers who are in the country to be impartial,” the President said.
He urged the people of Mufulira to vote for PF Kantanshi aspiring MP Yamfwa Mukanga and his counterpart for Kankoyo Evans Chibanda as well as contestants in the mayoral and Local Government polls.