Friday, March 29, 2024

Presidential candidates meet with ECZ officials

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Gen Miyanda arrives at ECZ offices

Zambia’s presidential candidates held a joint meeting Friday with ECZ officials to discuss issues affecting the October 30 presidential poll.

The candidates present at the briefing were Heritage Party president Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda, United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema and Patriotic Front president Michael Sata. Mr Rupiah Banda could not attend the meeting as he is in Luapula Province to commission the Levy Mwanawasa bridge. Rupiah Banda was represented by his agent, Benny Tetamashimba.

The candidates agreed to post election results outside each polling centre to avoid suspicion of vote-rigging in this month’s election, an official said.

“We have agreed that the results should be posted outside the polling centres immediately after the count,” said Michael Sata.

The opposition raised issues concerning biased media coverage, especially by the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which runs both a television and national radio.

The candidates rejected the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to print 600,000 extra ballot papers.

“In every election, you will never see a 100 per cent turn out…why print a lot extra ballot papers,” Mr Hichilema said.

Gen Miyanda said he was of the view that the issue on extra ballots should be discussed when the actual ballots were in the country so that they could debate on facts.

Brig-Gen Miyanda said he had raised the issue of opposition parties being stopped from addressing rallies in places where Mr Banda was doing the same.

Brig-Gen. Miyanda said he wished Mr Banda had been at the meeting to hear it for himself.

Given Lubinda and Ben Tetamashimba
Given Lubinda and Ben Tetamashimba

Mr Tetamashimba said it was not true that the opposition was being barred from holding rallies. When asked on his campaigns, Gen Miyanda said there were many ways of killing a rat.

“ There are many ways of killing a rat. Why did you not cover me in Kabwe or Kapiri Mposhi,” he said in response to a question as to why was he is not going out in rural areas to campaign.
Mr Tetamshimba described the meeting as successful though another one would be held on Wednesday next week to conclude the matter on the extra ballot papers.

Mr Sata said the discussions were cordial and commended ECZ chairperson, Justice Florence Mumba, for operating in a transparent manner.

“The meeting was very fruitful. Justice Florence Mumba is going in the right direction and needs our support and protection,” Mr Sata said. He however, called on ECZ director, Dan Kalele, to be more transparent in the manner he was running the institution.

Mr Hichilema felt the meeting as reasonable and said that political parties had raised a lot of issues that needed to be addressed to have a free and fair election.

He said others issues he raised were the use of public resources during campaigns.

Mr Tetamashimba said Mr. Rupiah Banda could not be at the meeting because he was waiting for Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, who was expected in the country to commission the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge in Chembe.

89 COMMENTS

  1. 600 k extra ballots! Wow,what a waste! My friends ballot paper is like condoms.you cant re use. Why does th MMD give the opposition something to talk about? The last elections it was helicopters.now its 600 k ballot papers. Iam sure these papers must be more than what they have declared! Vote pa bwato guy n gals! Peace out

  2. HH, you are right! these pipo of the movement for mad dogs have resorted to pludering public resources through fuel. I guess Magande doesnt give a dime whether MMD campaigns are smooth or not, as he is presently preaching tight fiscal discipline and is very prudent in the use of national resources. Its everyone’s guess why he is behaving like that. Alarmingly, the PS and DCs are sanctioning the plunder by giving drums of fuel to party cadres meant for ferrying them to airports and rally places whereever Cash (LUPIYA) goes. Its very shameful. Wake up Zambians, Teta is crap and so are most of those around cash. SAKI is a big disgrace too. He is going round with Cash too.

  3. Shame ba Miyanda, only 2 Body guards! The other 2 ‘GUYS'(Given Lubinda and Ben Tetamashimba) appear well fed + paid whilst the poor are getting more poorer!

  4. RB was unable to attend the meeting as he was reported to be sleeping. how does he afford to miss such an event? he thinks he is already president. let him realise that he has made enough history by acting as our president… the Gen is finished guys, maybe it just the brain which is just intact. being a farm manager can do for him bwaiche bwaiche

  5. Have ever wondered why bwezani’s billboards have a wierd MMD sign? Look at it closely and you will see it! Its a goat heard symbol mainly used to cast a spell. warning! Do not stare at the fingers for more than 10 seconds..vote for the best man!

  6. I also fail to understand what the General wants to achieve by taking part in these elections. May be he wants to come and petition the result. My understanding is that it may be difficult to prove you are aggrieved in an election you didn’t take part. Already, he has got a go at the Cobra. What else can one think of?

  7. Ba ZNBC have gone 30 years back they are not Y2k compliant! Their reporting acake and partisan! Small wonder Dora Siliya sounds more like a parrot than a minister. This woman is covered more than the aspirants put together. Oct 30, lets put an end to this stupidity! Pay your tv licence?

  8. democracy in zambia is not up to date.a stuation where government resources are only used by incurbent.and we call this democracy.guyz the problem in the busket is that the leaders at hand are not fully learned .a long way to go

  9. Miyanda must be be examined upstairs. How can he REALLY file to stand for presidency then goes to sleep. Who does he expect to campaing for him. I fill pity for a once so honourable man. I’m doubting his judgement.

    Aononga K20million yake sure(if it really came from him, that is) sure! He should have just bought another taxi from that money. It hurts me to see this man like this. Can someone please take him to the doctors. Others are campaigning then what… he is at Manda Hill buying grocery LOL (Check the Post news paper of 11.10.08) LOL

    Awe mwandi mwe!

  10. You have talked a lot give us chance. PF Patriots yesterday apprehended MMD Kanchibaya Ward Chairman’s wife Cathrine Chanda Nondo who was found 12 voters cards in her matrimonial home obtained from individuals in exchange for money, vitenjes and other material resouces. She was taken to Kasama Central Police to gether with 3 other suspects, and 4 witnesses, while the husband has been on the run. Latest news is that the suspects and now on Police Bond. Call Kasama Central Police if this is a fallacy. Shame!

  11. 20. So he still shows up at Mandahill? What a joke. No man is an island. You cant be a one man army and hope to change the world. That he had trouble rounding up 200 supporters speaks volumes.

  12. what did grace want to achieve by visiting Maureen coz her and the husband have killed more zimbabweans with her hunger than they realize. i thought funerals does not matter to them any more.

  13. Naimwe baice bonse mwe bena zambia ku fyalo fimbi mu kabwele mukuchita develop icalo cenu. lekeni incito shabukaboiyi uko muli. mupange fye icongo

  14. Iwe #28 uleichindika swaini ayi. It does not really mean to contribute to development one needs to stay in his country iyoo.This is a global world where man can effectively contribute to his country effectively where ever he is on the globe.Wake up this is the 21st Century.

  15. Am now convinced beyond doubt that MMD are losing these coming elections. All rigging loopholes are being sealed. that is why it is dangerous to stand against who were in the same party before. Late Mazoka did not know all these dirty tricks. Sata and Miyanda know how they were rigging elections in MMD. Why printing more ballot paers than voters? what do you want to use them for? 600 000 extra ballot papers is too much and these are the ones Dan kalale was caught with at the airport during last elections. They used to exchange these papers in mid air using ZAF helicoptrs especially from Nothern province in 2001 and North Western in 2006.

  16. Rather than enhance Magande’s chances he alienated the man and in the process the Paper ousted itself as a business sponsoring a candidate so that it can continue to get favours. In Mmembe’s usual abrasive style, began to bully people by saying if they did not support
    Magande, they were corrupt. The attempt to awaken the words of a dead Mwanawasa saying his chosen successor was Magande has fallen hollow, because everyone knows that Mwanawasa being the ruler of law, would still have subjected Magande to a democratic election by NEC, MMD governing body. The use of Maureen Mwanawasa to give succor to their
    Magande campaign showed a lack of reading of peoples’ mood. People are not too well

  17. The Post or Mmembe has made friends along the way to help expand the business. His biggest ally is Mutembo Nchito an upstart lawyer who has found a niche prosecuting the Posts matrix
    of plunder. Nchito and his brother own Zambian Airways a company in deep financial trouble.

    The brothers have not paid Zambia Privatization Agency (ZPA) for the acquisition of the airline. The airline has also not registered its leased aircraft locally and still uses foreign registration. They do this to avoid paying parking fees and other levies. The planes have to be registered locally within three months of bringing them in, it’s been three years and still they have not changed registration. It was only

  18. It was only because of the favours from Mwanawasa that allowed the airline continue to operate. Any other business would have been closed and would have worn a path to the
    commercial courts.

    The Post and Mmembe would have had much to say about a business which was so blatantly being favoured by government and would have harped on about corruption until that business closed down. But because it is in their interest, they even go as far as to defend the airline saying its part of CEE and forcing people to agree with them.

  19. Ba Muwelewele told us that cycle mata would only rule over his dead body. And after reconciling we need to carry out his wishes. Pa Bwattttooooooooo

  20. Fellow blogers back home has any other presidencial candidate been on race to plot 1 other than HH?
    WOW! HH is the man i listened on youtube / user /sifweti

  21. #38 Vera’s relationship with Bingu Wa Mutalika is no secret. They have been going out for sometime now. I am not surprised about plan to marry. Yes it is true and she has been sending him pants as gifts and spending nights at State house of Malawi. Good for her

  22. Visit…afrofusion.proboards.com

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  23. #20 Zedian, I was actually with Miyanda in Game Stores at Manda Hill on Thursday. You could never have told that this was a man standing for the President as no one in the Supermarket seemed to notice him. You would expect a few ‘his’ even if it was JK or Danny and a few chants or glances but nothing man. I just happened to almost bump into him to notice this was a presidential candidate.

    Even Chamachakomboka used to cause a stir.

  24. # 42. Kashimani, nemubala ni Nyasatimes nkati. . . that story was not confirmed by other sources though I would give it the benefit of doubt as there is no smoke without fire.

  25. Is this Miyanda I knew 8 years ago? If so, please hire me as your image builder. You have certainly changed!! His image looks distorted and desperate.

  26. Miyanda has been paid off by MMD to stand just to split the MMD oppostion votes further. The more smaller parties we have, the more chances MMD has to win.

  27. Sep 2008 … LUSAKA – Zambia’s acting president Rupiah Banda called for national … for slitting the throat of his pregnant wife, reported the SABC. …..what is this

  28. Who cares if they meet with ECZ. Is that news? Please feed us with some better and proper news. What is wrong with all the media houses in Zambia.

  29. Check in the pix, Miyanda looks ashamed and feels sorry for him self.

    Vote for H H , he will provide good services for Zed.

  30. I agree that Miyanda is sounding different guys. I had a chance to listen to hin on radio a week ago, and honetly, among all of them, his is the best manifesto for developing our wonderful Zambia. And before you protest, just take time and listen to them all (you Zambians are known for arguing before you REALLY LISTEN. He may not be very out and up in your faces but lets face it, charisma hasnt worked in this country before, in fact Levy wasnt Charismatic and look how well he did! Impressive CVs, Rough in your face personalities and 100 years experience are not enough to lead the people. We need CHARACTER!!! And Miyanda has that!

  31. Definitely we do not need the 600,000 extra ballots for who? becoz the turn out in all the elections has never been 100%. Thumps up to ECZ and all the parties to agree to stick results outside eact polling station soon after counting. VJ must be turning in his skeleton now.

  32. I SPOKE TO GOD LAST NIGHT HE SAID ,, SATA IS THE BEST MAN FOR THIS COUNTRY.. MAN OF ACTION NOT BULL TALK AND PROMISES..

  33. R.Banda should not be given chance to rule zambia, ask Reuben kamanga in his grave he will tell you that those people from eat are bad people, chiluba will tell you, if people of zambia followed eastern province in 1991 chiluba would have been in prison by now.
    why do you waste time with banda, if mwanawasa is alive R.Banda would have been quite by now.

  34. sata has a heart to change many zambians who are poor so lets vote 4 him .but the way i look at RB he is going to marry more ladies than the king of swizland.he will always sleep on duty.

  35. We know east will na chimuntu chabo, but I know zambian well the chice is between HH AND SATA for good of our country.There is nothing to finnish mwanawasa’s programs. Look at other countries, botswana, DRC CONGO, AMERICA, BRITAIN, and many other there leader are below 70 years now you zambian, look at yourselves you are pathetic you that, why choosing old men, you black people.think twice.

  36. GUYS WHERE DID BANDA COME FROM I HEAR HE IS A RABEL OF CHIEF RIGGER BUT LET MMD NOT TRY OR ELSE THIS TIME THEY PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA WILL DEAL WITH THEM. MMD HAS ONLY WON ONCE IN THE HISTORY MAZOKA WAS HIJACKED BUT NOT SATA

  37. Just lost my Job, is the credit crunch being felt in zambia? (employment wise)

    I thought i was untouchable
    I would HH to win, but naivety and charisma , are what he ought to work, on to have any chance in 2016
    Ruipya regretably will win this

  38. Acting President Rupiah Banda has disclosed that United Party for National Development Hakainde Hichilema allegedly solicited for a Government position in exchange for his support for the MMD presidential candidate.

    Mr Banda revealed that Mr Hichilema allegedly approached him soon after veteran politician Vernon Mwanga announced his support for him to strike an agreement.

    He said Mr Hichilema called him a day after Mr Mwaanga advised the MMD to adopt the acting President to contest the presidential election.

    He said Mr Hichilema even went to see him in the presence of Monze member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu and two ladies.-Zambia Daily Mail

  39. Mr Banda revealed that Mr Hichilema allegedly told him that time had come for like-minded people to work together.

    He said his initial thought was that Mr Hichilema had decided not to contest the presidential election and that he was probably going to support him.

    Mr Banda said instead he was surprised when Mr Hichilema allegedly wanted to strike a political agreement with him that would have seen Mr Hichilema earning a Government position after the October 30 election.

    He said he did not want to be tortured by unfulfilled political promises from those seeking political favours for giving him the support.

  40. Mr Banda said his long-time friend and veteran politician (Mr Mwaanga) offered to support him without any condition.

  41. Miyanda just waited the Chief Justice’s time of course not money cos it could have been part of the brown envelopes.

  42. #73 HH did not beg for any GOVT position RB wanted a pact with UPND and then HH said they can only if in 2011 the presidency goes to UPND. RB then said we will see to that when we reach there and that is how HH refused. That story was just’ cooked’

  43. It looks like there will be another power sharing agreement by the way things are turning out. These elections will be rigged and Zambia will follow suit of Kenya and Zim. Thats why the Gen. decided to run. He knows he has no chance to win so when the results are contested and everyone sits down to share power he will get an invited by default.

  44. You have talked a lot. Now go to page 12 of today’s Post.I told u yesterday. Police have swang into action. We have evidence MMD buying off voters cards in Chishimba area of Kasama. Money is exchanging hands at a very fast rate in MMD. Stinking corruption all meant to rig elections.

    Monks don’t just talk, and job! We scan. Pabwato!

  45. RUPO informs me from RUINS that the number of confisticated voters cards at Kasama Central Police has increased from 12 to 30 and total number of suspects is now 5.

    Let me chill a bit at the M-Square! Pabwato!

  46. sata nizeeeeeeeeeee

    you have won this time

    good things comes to those who dont stop trying

    go sata go we are behind you

    Viva PF Viva PABWATO MONKS AT MONK SQUARE ZOX

  47. If you are at the University and you vote Sata then your hostels will be turned into market shops. That is Sata for you. Have you ever been to Kenya? You will ove that scenary once you vote Sata – houses on top of houses and trees.

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