Calm has been restored at Lilanda Basic School in Matero Constituency following confusion that rocked the polling centres at the School this morning.
Confusion ensued around 10:00 hours after word went round that some election materials were not delivered on time and later a light truck suspected to have carried election materials arrived at the school.
This prompted voters to conduct a search and in the process they removed the materials in question and set them ablaze and stoned some vehicles found at the premises.
A check by a ZANIS crew at the school this afternoon found tight security while voting was going on smoothly.
Police Officers in full riot gear were found patrolling the place amid some fears by voters who were not comfortable with the presence of the horses and tear-gas canisters.
Zambia Red Cross Society Officers were also on hand to provide first-aid services to casualties.
Society Secretary General (SG) Charles Mushitu in an interview with ZANIS disclosed that about 50 casualties have so far been attended to in Lusaka.
Mr. Mushitu expressed fears that the number of people being injured would rise, if violence related incidences occurred during voting period.
He further disclosed that his organisation had withdrawn personnel from Nakatindi polling centre in Lusaka’s Kanyama constituency due to increasing levels of violence in the area.
He said the Society has since informed the Electoral Commission of Zambia on the issue adding that it would only send staff when the situation normalised.
“As ZRSC, we have treated 50 casualties that have been injured as a result of violence throughout Lusaka. Our fear is that this number might increase if violence continues during this voting period.
So far, we have withdrawn our staff at Nakatindi polling centre in Kanyama and we have informed ECZ on the matter,” Mr. Mushitu said.
He added that the Society trained 10,000 volunteers to provide humanitarian services across the country.
Meanwhile, Presiding Officers talked at the affected centres described the voting process after the confusion as peaceful.
Fidelis Halwiindi regretted the violence but was quick to point out that some voters who fled the area had started returning to cast their votes.
Mr. Halwiindi hoped that the voter turn-out would rise before the official close of the voting period at 18:00 hours this evening.
Election Monitor from the Civil Society Election Coalitions (CSEC)- 2011 Bruno Mwiinga also expressed concern that voting which started on a peaceful note would be disrupted in that manner.
Mr. Mwiinga said it was not good to resort to violence as a way of airing grievances but urged Zambians to use the established channels of communication when aggrieved.
[pullquote]The polling station had 1,827 total registered of which 620 eligible voters had cast their votes by 15:00 hours local time.[/pullquote]
He further said it is good that violence was quelled as it had the potential to culminate into voter-apathy at Lilanda Basic School.
At Chitukuko polling station in Kanyama Constituency voting was going on smoothly and peaceful.
The polling station had 1,827 total registered of which 620 eligible voters had cast their votes by 15:00 hours local time.
Presiding Officer Warren Mulambwa said the turn-out was dull in the morning but eventually improved in the afternoon.
Votes in some polling stations began at 06 hours while in some centres the exercise delayed. Polling is expected to officially close at 18 hours Zambian time.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has since expressed disappointment at the delay of the electoral process in some centres and has assured that the lost time would be compensated.
ZANIS
Ba Lt chitukuko polling station is in M’tendere under Munali Constituency and not in Kanyama.
Good luck Zambia. Pray that the most eligible (meaning the one with the heart for the underpriviliged) wins this years elections.
These are MMD tricks we are watching you. This time wether rb likes it or not he has to leave.
Sata can you sit your ass down, please.
mwamba you are an imbecile and uncouth.
Kabonde wants to use violence even simple explosions so that OP people could find a way to deliver marked ballots papers in places where MMD seem to lose always. It seems people will abandon the polling centers and run for safety. IG (Kabonde) will accuse PF that it has lost the elections hence want to bring violence in the country.
UKO TIYENI NAZO
yes those who feel they can take the law into there on hand cane them
@mwamba!! dont insult Sata,talk isues you *****!!!
Well said oxmos. I agree with you.
Sata is a very hardworking man but you guys here always just call him names. He can do a great job for Zambia!
That’s right! Most of the people that fear Michael Sata are corrupt and morally bankrupt.
We are glad peace has returned in most of the polling stations. Praise God!
:)>-:)>-:)>-
The wind of change is blowing, good luck sata
If people say no! why should you force them? let them get what they want