MUFUMBWE parliamentary by-election returning officer Rogers Chayang’a has said the distribution of ballot papers in the constituency which started on Monday is going on smoothly ahead of tomorrow’s polls.
Political party cadres who had set up camps in Government buildings have also been removed to pave way for the distribution exercise.
Mr Chayang’a said in Mufumbwe yesterday that the distribution of ballot papers began on Monday with the farthest polling station in Kabanga, some 470 kilometres south of the boma.
He said everything was in place and the process of distributing the ballot materials was continuing, with some being airlifted to areas that could not be accessed by road transport.
The cadres who had occupied Government buildings that will be used as polling stations were removed following a complaint from the United Party for National Development leadership that the distribution of ballot materials may be disturbed.
And Mr Chayang’a said if the violence that had rocked the constituency in recent days continued, it may scare away the voters.
He said the violence, which he described as the worst in the history of Mufumbwe, may affect the expected turnout of the 19,583 registered voters.
“We have made efforts to talk to political parties about the violence. It has been very rough and if the violence continues, it may affect the voting,” Mr Chayang’a said.
Calm has returned to Mufumbwe amidst heavy presence of paramilitary officers ahead of the by-election to fill the vacancy left by the death of area Member of Parliament Misheck Bonshe.
“So far so good, today it’s been peaceful. The situation has been okay and we hope it continues like this,” Mr Chayang’a said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
BREAING NEWS!
Paratropers and Commandoes moves in Milazi to track and gun down PACT insurgents using a getaway car scaring citizens with gun shots.While Mufumbwe takes in Kamfinsa paramilitary in enforcement of law and order.
:-t NO RIGGING FI MMD THIS TIME IT WILL MEAN SOMETHING ELSE . YOU ARE TOO MUCH FOND OF RIGGING ELECTIONS!:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t
A polling station at 470km from the Boma(constituency centre)!! imaine a parliamentary election in kitwe with one of the polling stations in lusaka!! this is very strange LT could you verify this information please.
Iam surprised too, 470km is not a short walkable distance nowadays with these lazy chaps who wear their trousers right below amatako. verify this issue or else this is green ground for rigging especially where airlifting is concerned. people be on the look out!
Let HH pitch a tent in all points and let us see if he has the stamina