The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has condemned the harassment of the Electoral commission of Zambia by the ruling Patriotic Front following their loss in recently held by-elections.The CCZ characterised PF as insincere,especially that whenever they emerged as winners in by-elections ECZ credibility was endorsed.The council of churches has urged the PF leadership should use the correct channels to challenge the election outcome and avoid using channels that result in the brewing of political tension and instilling fear in the people who have been given the mandate to oversee the elections.
Below is the full Press Statement
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) is noted with concern the hostility by the Patriotic Front (PF) officials towards the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) following their loss in the recently held parliamentary by-elections.
CCZ has observed that the party in power (PF) has not conceded defeat through the expression of aggression towards the ECZ, through its Secretary General Wynter Kabimba and other top party officials who have accused ECZ of favouring the opposition in the last by-elections.
These attacks on ECZ by the ruling party is an act of insincerity, especially that PF has endorsed the commission’s credibility whenever they emerged winners in many elections especially in recently numerous induced by elections which had characterized the political scene.
In a democracy which brought PF into power, we expect the party to show maturity, respect for the rule of law and systems which govern the democratic processes especially those that have been given the mandate by themselves as a government.
The continued harassment of ECZ staff as a result of the poor performance in the just needed parliamentary elections exhibits political intolerance by the ruling party which has not conceded defeat and has instead shifted the blame on an innocent institution which serves the purpose for which it was created.
The church does not expect the party in power to change goal posts when they are disadvantaged in an election but continue to give credit where credit is due when they win or loss in any election.
Pf’s poor performance in the just ended by-elections is a sign that people are losing confidence in the government because of the unfulfilled promises which they made to them during the run up to elections.
We would like to advise the PF government to stop witch-hunting and reflect on their pledges made during their campaigns to better the lives of the people which have not been fulfilled despite being given the mandate to rule.
The Council believes that allowing politicians to vent out their anger on the outcome of the elections conducted under the watchful eye of the ECZ is going against the constitution which gives the commission the power to oversee the elections process.
The PF leadership should use the correct channels to challenged the election outcome and avoid using channels that result in the brewing of political tension and instill fear in the people who have been given the mandate to oversee the elections.
The ECZ should be protected by the government in power and all law abiding citizens in its quest to executed its duties diligently and serve the nation as well as contribute to the growing democracy.
Issued by:
1/08/13
Reverend Suzanne Matale
GENERAL SECRETARY-COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA
tiya nazooo kani
tiye nazooo kani
This is the problem with Zambia. The govt takes it personal like catching it’s wife red handed having sex. Instead of going to the drawing board and looking at the factors that led to their demise in the elections, they react negatively and want to crucify the ECZ who were doing a job and given the hostile environment they operate in, did a good job. This govt behaves like an immature delinquent child who was badly brought up. It’s so plain that many people are simply disgusted and fed up with UBUFI, arrogance, erratic behaviour, disrespect and uncaring attitude by the PF, the same qualities that got MMD ejected from power. Can’t they focus on fixing these deficiencies and forge ahead with development projects and win back people’s hearts?
We chased kaunda. We blocked chiluba third term. We chased RB. Sata cant cow down this great Nation. PF is a one term govt . We are busy on the ground sensitysn people. Very soon valcano will erupt .
This lady preacher called Matale why is she so fast to condemn what ever PF does. Am very sure she needs to be born again. She needs deliverance, other wise she is acting like a Politician, that’s *****ic.
Are you also one of these pathetic fools that can’t simply understand simple things? They are being told the truth and you are busy saying crap! Wake up from your folly
The PF is a bad looser period. They have branded anybody with divergent views as bitter even when people are criticizing genuine mistakes. It is a Pity that PF is Micheal Sata and Micheal Sata is PF. We need a party that will I identify with many people as being part to a party. What we have currently are people deeping in SATA’s (PF) pocket. SATA himself said he was bamba zonke.. RDA, Parliament, Statehouse,Judiciary, chiefs and kings name it, as long as it is under the Zambian sun it is SATA/PF. You cannot build a nation like that. Kaya????
PF is a DIRTY Party, pama fina
You do not need the weather man to know the direction of the wind….
PF should get rid of arrogant people like Kabimba, he has become the Dora of PF and Zambians are good at using the vote correctly. What Kabimba said on national TV was a total disgrace to the ruling party and the president himself. Time will certainly come and its like people cant learn from other people’s mistakes… Leave ECZ alone please imwe ba BUFI, the commission which ushered u into power becomes useless and mischievous today???
Dalo dalo
kekekekekekekekee..ukwanites will never accept defeat..lol
well said s****d
Like who cares…, let the government dance to their own tune, they suddenly feel squeezed when all along they have been queezing their opponents. How you are treated reflects how you treat others in most cases especially when you are the boss.
CHURCHES PAY ATTENTION TO LOGS IN YOUR OWN EYES BEFORE MAKING AN ISSUE OF A GRAIN OF SAND IN PF’S EYES. SOME OF YOU CLERGYMEN AND WOMEN CAN’T ACCOUNT FOR YOUR CHURCH’S RESOURCES. WE KNOW YOU. YOU ARE BUSY COMPLAINING ABOUT POLITICS LEAVING YOUR SHEEP UN ATTENDED. HOW MANY OF THESE CHURCHES HAVE PRODUCED FULL FINANCIAL RECORDS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. HOW MANY ARE UP TO DATE WITH PACRA. PF PLEASE DO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND YOU WILL BE SHOCKED. WE KNOW THEM.
Relevant church motherbody, keep it up!!
Good morning (mwashibukeni) to the churches!
They were accusing others of being bitter about their 2011 election victory. How can the ruling party wit all the government machinery at their disposal accuse ECZ for causing them loose an election? My advice is go back to the drawing board and resolve issues of arrogance, lack of listening to opposing views and the know it all attitude. These among a lot more things caused the people teach you a lesson, not ECZ.