President Michael Sata says he is impressed with the independent and mature way that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is currently conducting elections in the country.
And President Sata has also directed the Commission to source for funds and recruit permanent workers to work during elections to avoid hiring of people that have the possibility of tarnishing the image of the ECZ.
Mr. Sata was speaking at State House today when he swore in Judge Christopher Mushabati and Dr. Fredrick N’gandu as ECZ Commissioners while Chishimba Nkosha and Siazongo Siakelenge have been sworn in as Permanent Secretaries for Education and Agriculture and Cooperatives respectively.
President Sata cited the recent incident in Mufumbwe were 18 polling agents were excluded from participating in conducting tomorrow’s by-election on allegation by the opposition MMD that they were party PF cadres as one example that should compel the ECZ to have its own staff to conduct election.
He explained that it is unfortunate that 18 teachers were banned by the Council Secretary who is also Mufumbwe returning officer after receiving instructions from MMD party President Nevers Mumba.
President Sata said it is for this reason that the commission should endeavour to have independent returning officers to oversee electoral processes and avoid depending on council officers to conduct elections.
Mr. Sata noted that he understands that the country is too big for ECZ to recruit permanent staff to conduct elections but was quick to mention that countrywide elections only happen once in every five years.
And President Sata has directed the newly appointed PS in the Ministry of Agriculture and cooperative Siazongo Siakelenge to ensure that all farmers that supplied their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) are paid.
Mr. Sata disclosed that government has released all the money owed to farmers hence the Ministry should ensure that all the farmers are given whatever they are owed.
He also urged Mr. Siakalenge to look at the storage facilities in the country and organise some money for tarpaulins to cover the maize so that it does not go to waste.
Meanwhile, President Sata has also directed the new PS in the Ministry of Education Chishimba Nkosha to address the problem of overcrowding in schools.
Mr. Sata noted that the Ministry should ensure that all the schools that are currently under construction are completed for the benefit of innocent children that are made to crowd in classes due to lack of enough classrooms schools.
He further challenged the new PS to also make sure that all the schools that were started to be constructed by the previous MMD government are completed in good time.
ZANIS
Continuity fro National Development “He further challenged the new PS to also make sure that all the schools that were started to be constructed by the previous MMD government are completed in good time.
AMEND THE CONSTITUTION AND GIVE PRESIDENT SATA A THIRD TERM IN OFFICE.
Mr Hamiyanzi is that the only sensible thing you can contribute.your types which support blindly are the reason we are in reverse gear today.
That’s the President I supported from Diaspora. Always thinking about the future of the Children/youths of the Country. Viva Sata and all the people of Zambia.
But why should Permanent Secretaries and Ministers always wait for instructions from the President kwena mwe bantu?! We need visionaries in such positions Mr President PLEASE!
Independent?? directing ECZ to source funds and telling it how to deal with matter by any gov’t is interfering with there independent operation, check it on America ECZ, ERB,KNB,ZESCO, POLICE are still attached to go’vt control and interference, let all appointments and demotionbe done by an independent body simple as.
Problem lies with you Mr. President and the system that allows you to issue Presidential directives to every living entity in the land..this is supposed to be an independent institution which should be making such proposals to the government not vice versa…its no wonder institutions are weak in Zambia.
is that the Nkosha..a lecturer form UNZA..?how does the new PS of Agric ensure all farmers are paid when he’s just got in..?
Hiring Permanent presiding officers in ECZ is yet Another terrible idea with the current status quo..
1. PF cadres are given preference in jobs etc…so wats 2come4 us?
2. Tribal &corrupt selections as seen in Zns, zaf etc. Many orgs did complain bt no action was taken. No assurance here.
3. It will now be easier 4 electoral malpractice by govt as permanent staff who resist will be bribed, threatened with with dismissal, transfered etc. Riggin wil get worse.
4. Many of us who r jobless hav been gettin money thru these 2ma short contracts during elections as its been a fair rotation 4 the jobless 2raise a bit, bt now, we will be Permanently cut-off.
Prepar 2lose some more votes PF!
Ya Mr president,the country hasnt the cash for recruting permanent presiding officers,where are you the advisers please advise my president of the cost involved and lets think of other ways of creating employment…..
The will recruit permanent PF cadres as employees for ecz.
Please ECZ, rubbish that directive from ukwa. Let him create employment for the youth not to force you get unwanted personnel.
Ba LT, tell us what is going on at State House. Is it true that Dr. Kaseba has left the big man alone for unknown destination because of Inutu Suba’s affair with the presido? Investigate and tell us???/ We are waiting and we need to know the truth.
Yes investigate please!
how does someone claim that an institution is independent when he imposes his own people into management by some unknown criteria. how feasible is it mr sata to have permanent election officers considering the the occurrence of these events. if this is job creation then its unsustainable.
JUST TO REMIND THE PRESIDENT THAT THE DECESSION TO REMOVE THE 18 WAS NOT DONE DUE TO PRESURE FROM NEVERS MUMBA BUT TO MAINTAIN THE INTERGRITY OF ECZ.THESE 18 PEOPLE WERE POLITICALLY INCLINED SO TO AVOID CONFLICTS THE WISEMAN AND THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION DECIDED TO REMOVE THEM.
MR.PRESIDENT LOOK AT THE COST OF PUTING SUCH PEOPLE ON PERMANENT JOB.
IT JUST PAINED YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE PF SUPPORTERS.THAT IS HOW DEMOCRACY WORKS.THE MAJORITY TAKE THE LEAD.
SORRY SIR,CALM DOWN.WHAT ABOUT THE WHERE ABOUTS OF THE FIRST LADY?
How can you employ over 15,000 PERMANENT presiding officers for an event that only happens once in every five years (save for rare bye elections)? Bane common sense ifunika ayi
Ladies and gents, let’s tell HE the truth so that a seed of hatred is not sown among ourselves. It not that nevers instructed the council secretary to change those PF support teachers but ECZ made a relution after serious consutative meetings. Spare the secretary, the man is innocent. And issue permanent employment at ECZ needs economic analysis as it aint attainable. look at the current budget that has 50% of it as emoluments. Economists, let’s advise HE correctly