President Edgar Lungu has announced that he is going to appoint a woman as his running mate in the 11th August general elections.
Speaking Saturday morning when he officiated at the Patriotic Front women sensitization fundraising breakfast at Lusaka’s Inter Continental Hotel, President Lungu said men who were aspiring for the position should count rule themselves out.
President Lungu said he takes into consideration gender and regional balancing when making appointments.
He said he was already there as male saying his deputy has to be female. He said even the constitution has principles talking about gender balance.
“Those of you who want to be running mate, you must be a woman. If not then there is no chance for you because even in the Constitution there is a provision. This is an exposé and there is no problem on my part as I am already doing this and it will be a
tradition,” the President said.
President Lungu has since urged women to rise up now and make use of him as he stands ready to support them in the country.
The Head of State advised women to do away with the pull her down syndrome but should instead encourage each other.
And President Lungu has urged opposition political parties to follow their constitution on term of office. He said some political party leaders have been at the helm of their parties disregarding the constitution.