Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu has questioned the circumstances that led to the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to halt the filing of nominations for Malambo and Petauke Central by-elections, saying the move reeks of bad faith.
“Some years back, Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Darius Mumba was stopped from filing his nomination papers on account of alleged corruption,” Mr Lungu, who is also PF chairperson for legal affairs, said in Petauke yesterday.“When this happened, the ECZ went ahead with the filing process and did not halt or postpone the process…today, however, under similar circumstances, the ECZ has decided to side with the opposition again. To me, this is a clear demonstration of bias.”
Mr Lungu said: “As a result of this open bias, we have no choice but to call for new blood at the ECZ. We strongly feel some people have overstayed and lost touch with reality and must pave way for new blood.”
The minister said the ECZ needed “no further consultation after the Judiciary passed the landmark decision to bar corrupt candidates but here they are stuck in the moment again…it’s time for radical change”.
And Vice-President Guy Scott says he is disappointed at the postponement of the nominations for the three by-elections.
“The Patriotic Front was ready for the nominations. We came with the zeal to win all the seats and we are sad that our candidates cannot file nominations…. but we will be back,” Dr Scott said.
The Vice-President was speaking at Jumbe Primary School in Malambo constituency when he received 50 defectors from the MMD and UPND.
Dr Scott urged the defectors not to be discouraged by the postponement of the filing of nominations.
“You are welcome to the pro-poor party that is focused on development. Let’s progress and work together to ensure that Malambo constituency develops,” he said.
UPND vice-president Canisius Banda also complained about the postponement.
“We have spent a lot of money to prepare for this event and we are totally unhappy with what has happened,” he said.
Meanwhile the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has won praise for deferring nominations in three of the four parliamentary by-elections scheduled for September 5th.
The by-elections whose nominations were supposed to take place yesterday but have been deferred to 13th August, following a statement from the Judiciary, are Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi.
Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says the postponement of the filing of nominations for the three by-elections will enable the ECZ allow only candidates eligible to take part in the polls.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Chembe has also suggested that the ECZ should have also postponed the nominations for the Mkaika by-election in order to sustain a level playing field for political parties taking part in the four by-elections.
Mr. Chembe has also reiterated the need for the ECZ to call for a national dialogue meeting for all political parties to discuss in detail the Electoral law in order to ascertain any areas that maybe in conflict to holding free and fair elections in the country.
The SACCORD Executive Director was speaking in an interview with Qfm.
[QFM,Daily Mail]
bastard Lung u ar a fo.ol idi.ot come 2016, the sinking pf boat, which came into power through false pretense will sink with its leaders. Any change to ECZ effected by them will have little impact to their side.you want to be wasting ‘pipo’s time debating abt you…..foo.l
The only thing you have achieved by insulting, for no reason at all, is show everyone that you have a pea sized brain and can’t contribute constructively to any topic.
Exactly Zon. But 4 other uncouth chaps liked the insults. Never mind the bloggers below that have continued in the same vain. This says a lot about the caliber of bloggers and in turn youth we have in Zambia.
Sometimes discussing with drunken people just makes life hilarious. Why do you let Ba Edgar to talk on a Friday after 5pm or Saturday?
No more ARV supplies to Lungu please. When he comes on Monday (due to PF Govt rationing) to clllect. Give him Paracetamol Instead. Let’s shut him up for good.
even if they were to put Mumba or HH as CHIEF JUSTICE and ZWD as their supreme court, Dora and Mwale stinks corruption.
I am happy Zambians are able to debate issues freely without hidden interference from the GVT. 10 yrs from now Zambia will a better country. Thank you PF and SATA. Keep it up guys.
SATA THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT ZAMBIA HAS EVER HAD IT IS MY PRAYER THAT THE LORD REDEEMS US FROM THIS MEDIOCRITY OF LEADERSHIP. WHY HAS SATA PUT RDA AT STATE HOUSE THIS IS REALLY STINKING CORRUPTION. DORA AND MWALE HAVE NOT BEEN FOUND GUILTY. ABASH PF.HH HALEISA HALEISA MUMBA ALEISA ALEISA FR BWALYA IS COMING. AWAY WITH PA BUFI PARTY WITH NO DIRECTION LIKE HEADLESS CHICKEN
MIZ your reasoning qualifies to be on tumfweko! Hon Lungu,the current has always been wanting PF to fail and it high the fools at this important institution are dealt with ! Chi bwalya naka Periscilla must go!!
@Mwananfumu
You are the kind of mentality that is killing our country and taking it down the Zim road. Why do we need these institutions if we can’t let them operate according the to will of Paliament? The ECZ is governed by legislation and their explanation of the circumstances in which they can bar a candidate have been explained. There was clearly no time for the PF to get wheels of the LAW moving in order to Bar Mwale and Siliya so, their usual way, the PF want to ignore process and utilise shortcuts by getting a statement issued by the Judiciary. But statements are not LAW even if issued by the ACJ. LAW is only “made” in a court of LAW after being tested with legal arguments. Now they want to get rid of women of principles and replace them with “rubber stamps” and your are…
who is this bastard chap.we Zambian pipo are tired of the failed pathetic foolz.come
2016 kuya all kaponyaz .let ecz run its affairs independently.foolish pf dull ***** chap
bukala bobe
pf stop intimidating ECZ the fact that u av lost popularity doesnt mean u shud blame ECZ jst admit that u av failed to run the nation u jst full of un educated men n women come 2016 mukanya!!!!!!!!!!
power should be demonic, there is no way, everyone who has a feel of it gains courage to even speak mediocrity, ba edgar lungu is drowned with that, from the time he tasted being president, he has never shut weird looking mouth with falling cheeks. when these people are out of power, thats when we will speak the same language, why is it like this?
Edgar lungu u are very lost my frnd we dnt need new blood at ECZ but need new blood in govt today it seems like your less than 2years in govt has proven to be too much for you buddy and your bosses thus we need new blood in all govt ministries and get rid of that donkey you have put to be in charge of of our judiciary we need judicial reforms ASAP.It now clearly shows why chibesakunda is not retired wen sata is busy retiring hardworking well meaning people like clive chirwa leavn lombe who is over aged.So edgar we need new blood indeed not at ECZ but in Govt.
drunk again
foolish *****ic idiocy!
Mr Lungu first we need new leaders too! it is like all the leaders we have are recycled leaders from MMD, Zambia deserves new blood with bad habits.
ECZ was acting as per instructions from the supreme court (appointed by President Sata), so please leave them alone.
…….meant to say Zambia deserves new blood with good habits.
Postponement was drastic. Resolve the impasse immediately and conduct elections within 90 days. Working under pressure is part of industrial society. What counts is progress.
Am sorry if mr lungu can call for new blood at ECZ while us zambian we are happy with same leaders eg masebo and the deputy ministers from MMD. My fellow zambian lets learn to vote for individuals mps and not the political party believe me will have the best leaders and for you in public offices stink to your advise and be principals.
Lungu Supreme Court can’t bar someone on a civil case you are infringing on other people’s right the law is clear unless you find some one with the case you have taken the necessary steps no short cuts that’s why we have the judge from Malawi looking stupid because someone didn’t follow procedures and these things come and haunt you people are not fools and they can see through your moves and see that you don’t mean well now I have lost confidence in the Supreme Court they are way compromised and unfair when they are supposed to exhibit fairness and give people their right to a hearing
Than rushed backdoor decisions
likewise we need a new jome affairs minister not this drunkard
PF, PLEASE GO AWAY!
Ba lungu, tondolo muweme! Dont expose yo drunkenness. Pipo judge n they may label u. Aba bemba batila,’ Icikwanka ba chimwena kuma mpalanya’. Dont be mislead my dear, The wave of opposition has begun n no person regardless of their status can stop this. Just watch
This is the Best group we have had at ECZ, there is no need to change at all. The people who have overstayed are:
Chibesakunda above 65 years,
Sata 75years, He was too old even ten years ago
Munkombwe above 73 years
Chikwanda above 70
Dr Kasonde, above 65
Dr Phiri above 68
Their average age is about 70 years. These people are too tired even to Breath.
ubuteko ubu sure as if they have been in power for 20 yrs. awe twanaka! edgar sekete to hel with ur failed party pf.
IWE CHI LUNGU, WE ALSO NEED NEW BLOOD AT PLOT 1
And at home Affairs, sooner rather than later.
This wasted brain will end in chibolya drinking kachaso. Or Dandika were alcoholic retiree destitute converg. Who can waste money hiring edger and winter.
Precisely, Minister Lungu. If the current ECZ can’t legally be conversant with the provisions of the Act(s) relevant to all manner of elections, why then, they have lost relevance, and ought to be replaced.
The ECZ is fine as currently constituted but its the Zambian river of bloodsoaked politics that needs to cut a new course.The current course of the executive branch is full of rapids,falls,erosion ,flooding and plenty of crocs.
Looks like we shall be having “new blood” in many institutions, the Judiciary included. As HE said, there is MMD blood around ( when referring to dribbled Taima ) !
My humble advise.
Please cut off LUTUKU and ARV supplies to Edgar Lungu for a month. He will shut up for good en won’t be a nuisance again.
Lungu is too dull to be anything. Why do us zambians tolerate chaps like that, its a shame.
Hon Lungu,you may have a point but why have you failed to tell the President about the PS we hear who has been soliciting for quotations to buy UNWTO vehicles ? Is it in order to solicit for bribes ? The Lusaka agent at the named garage is ready to testify so find out and inform the President.We are tired and sick of the corruption going on.
John!John is sourcing quotations procurement?Where those quotations transacted?Yr name is briliant bt reasoning..very poor!And u take a swipe at Hon Edgar Lungu.Yuongman go sleep u may wakeup a genius.As fr now u re realy dull & backtroden.
To boast that pf is pro poor party is indeed the same as saying poverty forever no attempt to destroy poverty in zambia by pf. The country is destroyed by pf useless party.
Blame the High court which did not advise the ecz until it was pushed by kabimba, not to blame at all. The cry for ‘new blood’ is meant to appoint pf partial cadres.
the boat is full of old pipo or grandfathers lyk hon. lungu&it has lost it’s direction due to poor old thinking.so balungu new blood is needed both at ecz na imwe nga bagovernment bonse for a change to occur in our todays GOVERNANCE
New govt with new blood should be in place first.