THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission has declared the January 20 presidential election as free and fair.
Head of the SADC Non-Governmental Organisations (SADC-CNGOS) observer mission in the Zambia presidential election, Sofonea Shale, said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that there were no incidences of intimidation or voters being influenced as to who they should vote for.
He said the election was credible despite the low turnout.
“We have experienced voter apathy due to the movement of people from one place to another. We do not expect the number of people who have voted to be more than 40 percent,” Mr Shale said.
He said the period members of the public were given to replace voters’ cards was not adequate and many people, especially those in the rural areas, were not aware of the exercise.
Mr Shale said that there is need to invest more resources in the continuous voter registration exercise.
He said a number of people were disenfranchised because they could not get to the polling stations due to lack of transport and distance while others did not turn up with the correct documents.
Mr Shale called on ECZ to educate polling staff on how to conduct themselves during elections, adding that some officers did not understand their responsibilities.
He said while the public broadcaster is by law supposed to allocate equal time to candidates, beyond coverage, the content of news about candidates remains a challenge.
Mr Shale also said incidents of inter-party violence is regrettable.
“Zambia has in the difficult times been a haven for the troubled citizens of this region and today, it remains an oasis of peace. It would therefore be a regrettable setback if it can show signs of intolerance to the diversity of political views,” Mr Shale said.
And Great Lakes Region head of mission Joseph Biribonwa has said the election was free, fair, transparent, credible and democratic.
Briefing the press in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Biribonwa said the election substantially met regional and international standards of conducting elections.
“The electoral process was generally peaceful despite few cases of violence and intimidation reported during campaigns,” he said.
Mr Biribonwa said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) conducted the process professionally within a short period of time.
He, however, said that the organisation has received reports of impartiality in media coverage.
Mr Biribonwa urged Zambians to maintain peace and order even after the final declaration of election results.
Meanwhile, UN resident coordinator Janet Rogan has called for calm and peace among Zambians as they wait for the official announcement of the presidential election result.
Ms Rogan told journalists at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre yesterday that there is no need for political parties to panic as they wait for the official result.
“Political parties should exercise patience because it is not the problem of the Electoral Commission of Zambia that results have been delayed and in some areas, voting was still underway.
“The commission did what it could but could not control the weather, hence the challenges it is facing,” Ms Rogan said.
She agreed with the decision by ECZ chairperson Irene Mambilima to postpone the announcing of results.
Ms Rogan said announcing results while other people are still voting could influence the electorate to vote for a candidate they feel is in the lead.
She said each citizen should be allowed to exercise their right to vote without being influenced in any way.
Thank you Ba Sadc…
NOMBA NI EL2016
We are still waiting for the final announcement.
Thanx for participating but as I said you shud wait to talk after the results have been announced.
Viva Zambians.
Pretty tekanya boi. Flight HH2015 has crashed KIKIKIKIKIKIKI
@Ba Mwine,
why tell me ati tekanya? I said am waiting patiently for the final results – which part do you not understand.
patience means ukutekanya.
Your words shud be directed @2020vision.
Viva #peacefulnation.
IT IS DONE. WE AWAIT 2016!!!
Thank you! Winning aside, this election has thrown on us the challenge to sober up and open some intelligent national debate. We cannot continue with a simplistic mindset of “its business as usual”. We are in dangerous denial that we are facing this growing national crisis. Results of this election manifest a polarized Zambia never imagined. Notice innumerable underlying issues that have started shaping up for a risky trend. It’s a call for intellectuals to drive a constructive discourse for healing now before it’s too late. Voter apathy has hit the ceiling, while a divide of the dissatisfied is on an exponential growth with voting cementing shameful regionalism. Those who have lost this race are equally many and good Zambians. Lets hear their grievances with respect.
@Senior citizen
Yes, absolutely. The voter apathy exhibited this time around taiwema nangula panono. It seems to be getting worse every time around.
We need to educate the population. Go round to the masses and inform them about the importance of voting and how it could affect their livelihood.
Let the fun begin now within PF and RB ‘s MMD faction. In the days to come Lungu will be under so much pressure to appease both sides and also to deliver on the people’s expectations.
What ever the results, HH will continue to offer leadership from the opposition bench.
HH must never enter into some stupid pact with the PF what ever the case. If he loses, his time is coming very soon.
UPND should never replace HH with a wimp who can easily be bought because he is broke.
After this I expect HH and UPND to lay back a bit for two months and observe how PF will start falling apart.
People have not seen the benefits of voting in selfish politicians for years now.
Now that PF might win, its gona get worse.
If PF wins, then Mwachuleni abena Zambia. Kwacha will just dive to levels un seen before which will result in prices of mealimeal and fuel going up , thereby increasing the cost of living crisis.
@Wanzelu, it is that same attitude that takes us no where. Why should people now fold their arms and wait for others to fail, is that your idea of being strategic? Zambia belongs to all of us and if EL, if indeed he is elected, fails then we fail as a nation, including those who did not vote for him. Opposition is not about opposing all the time, it is about providing checks and balances to ensure that the country remains on track, even if this means, supporting the current government to succeed. You really have to re-think your approach because it is extremely toxic and unproductive.
Edgar Lungu ni continue
Ba SADC Obsever thats too fast. Kulolelako panono
exactly my words.
Wait until the incoming president is announced and has been sworn in.
Really SAdc observers were too quick to declare! Look what I is happening now? Take back your words!
THANK YOU SADC OBSERVERS. IT’S NOT TOO EARLY, THEY’VE BEEN WORKING THOUGH ECZ SUSPENDED ANNOUNCEMENTS DOES NOT MEAN THEY STOPPED COUNTING. SO THESE GUYS KNOWS IT IS DONE!!
ok. which team are you on?
Flight HH2015 has been lost in the sky. It is believed captain Hichilema failed to communicated with the ground staff and sadly ended up into the sea and sadly everyone perished.
in your dreams. Stop making fun before the final whistle is blown.
hh foolish pride.
No banene, The SADC & Great lake shaniuko are OK. Its best to make the declaration b4 the announcement so that HH oh sorry, the losing candidate is given ZERO chance to waste our time with complaints of ‘unfair, unfree nor not credible’
Chill the wine please!
@kakolwe,
Naeketa line.
These observers are very smart. They already know who has won. Bati 🙂
Viva #Peacefulnation.
they were indeed very free and fair. EL is drafting his inauguration speech as Human Herror (HH) drafts a suicide note.
in his suicide note, Human Herror (HH) has requested Cabinet Office to make provisions for him to be buried next to the late MCS at embassy park.
Who has won bane?
RULING Patriotic Front Presidential Candidate in Tuesday’s Presidential election Edgar Chagwa Lungu is new Republican President after beating closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of UPND in Tuesday’s Presidential election.
An impeccable source discloses that State Security has already been sent to Edgar Lungu’s house which is now sealed. Electoral Commision of Zambia is expected to officially announce the election of Edgar Lungu as Zambia’s President elect by 12hours. ECZ ealier suspended the announcement of results due to others who were still voting earlier on Wednesday.
his is a half baked sadc mission. How can it be free and fair when we have UPND choppers grounded? how free and fare is this? how free and fare when the ruling cadres were violet?
Twatotela mwe Lesa, Thank you Jesus pa kufikilisha prophecy ya mubomfi wenu T.B. Joshua. I really thank you Jesus. You know fellow Zambians, as long as Zambia is a Christian nation and if we just believe that whatever we ask of God to give us, we shall be given. I like the way we Zambians do teach one another. The message is that ‘Tribalism is sin’ and we should not promote it at all.
Congratulations to PF for not passing the constitution. This old constitution has enabled HH -Hakainde Hichilema to become the republican president with effect from today 22/01/2015. Special mention goes to guy scott for the role he has played. Now that PF has been dislodged, I wish to advise the new president HH to put a non tribal cabinet, to recall all ambassadors despite the high cost and tribal balance with intelect – the new ambassador- appointments.
Congratulations to UPND for winning the elections. The whether and distrust of PF that led to low turn-out in its strong holds gave you the victory. Congrats
Apa ….sure …we need prayers for the whole saga to end MUSHE ai..?? Everything is possible because of God!!!!
SORRY TO YOU MR. SHALE BECAUSE YOU ARE LIKE MILLIONS OTHERS WHO DON’T KNOW THAT SMART RIGGING BY LUNGU AND HIS CORRUPT TEAM ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE BY PRINTING ADSORBENT BALLOT PAPERS WITH IMPREGNATED CHEMICALS TO CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE X MARK TO FAVOR LUNGU. LUNGU HAS BEEN IMPOSED ON US. LESS THAN 15% OF THE ZAMBIAN VOTERS VOTED FOR LUNGU. AND LUNGU HAS VERY BAD INTENTIONS FOR OUR BELOVED MOTHER LAND ZAMBIA. IN FACT LUNGU IS NOT 100% ZAMBIAN. THIS GUY IS A MALAWIAN! IMAGINE THIS STUPID THOUGHT IN MOST OF THESE FOOLS’ MINDS, WHEN IT IS A TONGA CONTESTING FOR PRESIDENCY, THEY SAY IT IS TRIBALISM, BUT IF IT IS A BEMBA OR NJANJA/NGONI THEN IT IS NO TRIBALISM. THIS IS STUPID AND SHALLOW THINKING! WHY DO YOU STIGMATIZE TONGAS? WHY DO YOU FEAR US SO MUCH? TONGA UPRISING IS NOW COMING!
Thumbs up Zed, I love this country- we give it all! Shining example, I pray for peace in DRC!
i cant wait to dance to kolopa com. ecz please do the annoucement quick. am at work but am in the mood of dancing.
Good to hear the election was FREE, FAIR , CREDIBLE, and BREATHTAKING.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
yeah yeah!!!! am anxious too , cant wait for the president Elect , Hon Chagwa Lungu to be announced. NATUBAKOLOPA!!!!!!!!
It should be borne in your minds all those preparing to cerebrate LUNGU’s victory, something is waiting for PF within the next few days of being in power. It is the time you will see the proper division in PF and LUNGU will pick his own kind, the Bembas will cry faul.
As for HH, I think if all goes well is to give it a rest. I should think his term will be over beore 2016, unless otherwise.