The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and several civil society organisations monitoring the Bahati Parliamentary by-election have described the voter turnout out as fair.
Mansa District Electoral Officer Sombo Kaela said that despite the heavy rains experienced this morning, the turnout has been fair.
Mrs Kaela has told ZNBC’s Paul Shalala that almost all Polling Stations opened at exactly 06:00 hrs although a few delayed due to the rains.
She has revealed that some Polling Stations which opened after 06:00 hours will have extended time for them to compensate on the lost time.
Mrs Kaela says voting went on peacefully across Bahati Constituency.
And Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services -GEARS- Initiative Luapula Province Anchor-person Jerson Senkwe said the turnout at Polling Stations was affected by the rains.
Mr Senkwe said his organisation has seen impressive queues outside Polling Stations across Bahati Constituency.
But the Foundation for Democratic Process -FODEP says it has observed a low voter turnout out.
FODEP Luapula Province Chairperson Ethel Mwanza said very few people have showed up at Polling Stations due to heavy rains experienced this morning.
The rains which started at around 03:00 hours this morning, led to few voters showing up at Polling Stations at 06:00 hours when voting started.
At Council Guest House which is the largest Polling Station in the whole Constituency, only eight voters were outside when the Presiding Officer Sharon Chama declared the station open.
But the number of voters started increasing after 07:00 hours when the rains reduced, and people queued at all the three streams.
And at Kaole Primary School Polling Station, 26 voters were on the queues when the Presiding Officer Vincent Mushota opened the Polling Station at 06:00hrs.
All the three streams at the Polling Station had people queuing and the first voter cast his ballot at 06:05hrs.
Five candidates from the ruling Patriotic Front, opposition UPND, PAC, UPPZ and FDD are vying for the Bahati Parliamentary seat.
The Constituency has 43 thousand registered voters spread across 55 Polling Stations.
Voting is expected to end at 18:00 hours.
And in Roan constituency in Luanshya, despite the peaceful campaigns held ahead of the by-election, the area today recorded violence where suspected Patriotic Front cadres attacked members of the opposition National Democratic Congress who were alleged to have been carrying offensive weapons in their vehicle.
According to a statement released to the media by NDC Deputy spokesperson Saboi Imboela, PF brought in cadres from intercity with Bowman Lusambo commandeering them through the night and this morning violently beat NDC cadres and that residents on numerous occasions saw Hon. Lusambo distributing money on voting day and intimidating residents.
The statement further said that damage had been done to several NDC members and vehicles that were accredited as monitors and polling agents, respectively.
The statement went on further to say that NDC members also identified Lands Minister Jean Kapata as having led a team to an NDC member’s house were NDC officials: constituency secretary: Misheck Kanyanta, constituency chairlady: Bertha Mutale. and the driver Joseph Chileshe were camped.
“The PF cadres climbed the fence, destroyed the gate and broke the door to the house. They were camped at the house awaiting for break of dawn to start assisting the polling monitors and agents. The officials are currently detained at Mpatamato police station “, the stateme concluded.
However, PF issued a statement later advising the public and all its members across the country to avoid taking the law into their own hands but report any suspected criminality to the police.
“The Patriotic Front (PF) has learnt of an incident where an NDC vehicle carrying suspected criminals and machetes in Luanshya were allegedly attacked by suspected PF cadres. We continue to call on all members of the public including Party members across the Country to avoid taking the law in their own hands but report any suspected criminality such as the carrying of offensive weapons to the Zambia Police,” stated PF media director Sunday Chanda.
“PF is, however, not shocked that NDC has resorted to employing criminality as this was confirmed by Mr. Chishimba Kambwili who warned his imaginary vote riggers that they would get killed in the polling stations. While we understand Mr. Kambwili’s desperation, we refuse to believe that NDC must hire criminals and carry machetes in what has generally been a peaceful campaign in Roan Constituency. PF continues calling for peace and non-violence as people go to vote today, 11th April 2019.”
Kambwili will not die without a fight.
As PF we are distancing ourselves from any acts of violence and attacks on opposition members. Let the Zambia Police investigate professionally and bring the perpetrators of violence to book.
These PF, ne fibanakashi fi Jean Kapata playing with knieves.
All the way from Lusaka ukuya mukuthombesha ku Luanshya!?
Mr Kudos uli chipuba….
Awe kwena chipuba…
Fake news o the time by Lusaka Times.
The whole PF shamelessly is camped in CB at the expense of taxpayers …that’s why even Massage Palour has opened immediately the results are out Geoffraih Minister of that useless ministry will close it!!
ECZ should disqualify the violent parties regardless of who they are.
Ama result kaili
Now where is Lazy Lungu going to fly to with his new $80 million Gulf stream Jet by elections are over? Any ward elections anywhere?
TASILA Lungu has bought the farm which belonged to former UNIP Kapoche member of parliament late Ben Zulu. In interview on Monday, Sinda district commissioner Paradious Sakala said President Edgar Lungu’s daughter had acquired Zulu’s farm. The farm is close to Chimtengo forest. “Yes, it’s true that Tasila has bought the farm for the late Ben Zulu which is very close to Chimtengo forest and the development that will be taking place there is to bring in wild animals,” Sakala said. Asked if the area would be fenced, Sakala said he had not received any information to that effect. “I can’t confirm as I have not received any confirmation to that effect but if it’s fencing, I don’t think there is harm in that for it could be for a good purpose because currently what is happening is that people…
They are very rich now these thieves!!
From Roan,out of 6 polling stations received so far ;PF is at 617 and NDC at 521 votes.
In Bahati is whitewash for UPND as just from St.Clement Secondary school polling station in mansa town PF got 245 votes and UPND 29!!!
The signal so far is that PF is going to retain both seats(Roan and Bahati)!!!
Results coming in from 25 polling stations out of 43 polling station;
PF-3455,
NDC-4 633!!!PF is losing in Roan!!!
Indeed Kambwili is very popular in Luanshya!!Congrats NDC!!
more results please from ROAN, we told u not to play with DR kambwili, thats why he is called doctor
May the best candidates win.
Insults vs Civility
Thorn the tribalist calling for civility. That’s a first.
ROAN:Results from 35 polling stations out of 43 are;
PF-7,213 and NDC-5,126!!!Mighty PF is now leading!!!
The results from Roan are confusing,so I think NDC has won there-simple!!!This is because the PF media team is giving us different results while UPND/NDC camp is showing that Kambwili’s NDC is winning,SO WHICH IS WHICH?
CONGRATS NDC!!!
Hide any roaps from njimbu ….even if he has a belt take it away from him or you will find him hanging…..
Ehhhh njimbu , mighty pf , 6.5 ?
THE PF HAS BEEN SO RELUCTANT AND COMFORTABLE WINNING ELECTIONS EVERY TIME. THEY NEED TO BE SHAKEN UP. THINGS ARE NOT OKAY. DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN OPERATING GRANTS FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW. IT MEANS THERE WILL BE NO MONEY TO BUY FUEL FOR THE AMBULANCE. HEALTH DIRECTORS ARE NOW USING PERSONAL MONEY TO BUY FUEL FOR AMBULANCES. THEY CANNOT SPEAK FOR FEAR OF BEING RETIRED IN NATIONAL INTEREST.
@Spaka;we are good losers in PF.Kambwili is a PF member,so congratulations to his NDC!!!CK’s party has won in Roan and am sure he will stand as NDC president in 2021 and shock your Kainde!!!
MR SPAKA,YOUR UPND HAS BEATEN IN BAHATI TERRIBLY,SO YOU HAVE NOTHING TO CELEBRATE ABOUT BECAUSE STILL UPND HAS NOT WON IN 6.5 PROVINCES!!!
Njimbu…….Hehehehe
Mighty PF …..6.5 …..
Sonta……sonta…..Sontapo…….sontapooo……
Jay Gay trib.al …… any news of the whereabouts of trib.al Hacks? Celebrating in Bahati perhaps? Or perhaps he has won his presidential campaign in Roan?
Now if NDC wins in Roan, trib.al Hacks and his upnd will claim the credit. And that will be the beginning of a rift between these childish politicians.
Just swallow your drabbing having spent millions trying to bribe voters….
We told you…..pf can not win without violence and or rigging…
i see GBM being ejected from UPND. Before long Kambwili will be made vice president. Mark my words
#16 Mwine munzi, exactly my thoughts. If Chimbwili wins Roan he would have earned his place in trib.al upnd as running mate. You bet it was part of the bargain without trib.al Hacks. Trib.al Hacks sees Chimbwili to have delivered a piece of Kopala to upnd which GBV failed to deliver for Kasama. GBV had better start forming his own party for he is going like Cannissius Banda, alternatively GBV can take over NDC while Chimbwili goes to trib.al upnd. …… boland yabipa!!!
#16 Mwine munzi, exactly my thoughts. If Chimbwili wins Roan he would have earned his place in trib.al upnd as running mate. You bet it was part of the bargain WITH trib.al Hacks. Trib.al Hacks sees Chimbwili to have delivered a piece of Kopala to upnd which GBV failed to deliver for Kasama. GBV had better start forming his own party for he is going like Cannissius Banda, alternatively GBV can take over NDC while Chimbwili goes to trib.al upnd. …… bola yabipa!!!
UPND should not celebrate Kambwili’s victory in Roan because this win will make CK big headed and he would want to stand as NDC’s presidential candidate in 2021.However,all Zambians now will see how HH shall be worshiping Kambwili!!!Truth be told,CK is now on high demand politically because he will be seen as a KING MARKER!!!
The reality is this defeat should compel senior PF leaders to change the strategy especially in urban areas.Prices for fuel,food,etc should be reduced now then push in a lot of money into circulation to continue pleasing urban voters!!!
THIS VICTORY IS ABOUT KAMBWILI ALONE AND NOTHING TO DO WITH UPND WHICH HAS LOST TERRIBLY IN BAHATI!!!congratulations NDC!!!
YABA “LOSS IBABA ZOONA”.UPND supporters are strong as they overcome several LOSSES!!!
Ati put more money in circulationeee…
Print more money ka ???
In short the loser is ultimately trib.al Hacks, mark my words if Roan remains with Chimbwili.
Njimbu what ever it means. First we don’t support third terms in Zambia whether the court ruled in favour of that thief or not, ask Chiluba. So advise your PF to change a President who can articulate issues and give confidence to the Zambian People. The current president to borrow Kalaba’s words doesn’t know whether he is going or coming. The advise of circulating more money in the economy will not help.
Njimbu you and kainde are not different. I lost confidence in you when you asked Sean Tembo not to attack his tribes man for doing wrong things because other tribes were not doing theirs. Hands off to Sean Tembo he is very objective and independent man and I hope that you won’t pollute him with your tribal thinking.
NDC has scooped the Roan seat, now who is he Heavy weight?
With the entire Cabinet camping in Luanshya and dishing out money in broad daylight, Kambwili has prevailed. Now those close to your humble leader keep lying to him that Bowman and Kampamba Mulenga have clout on the Copperbelt and watch how this cookie crumbles. By the way, is there a way we can Test P.F’s popularity within Lusaka?
@Hunter give us the break down of the results Kaili.
Without violence and or rigging PF are history and lungu and his gang are in the dock…..
Congullatulations To NDC Joseph Chibuye For Beating Up PF We Are Warching You Where Ever You Are Regurds From KTK.
Njmbu, last time you were so exercited about Bowan being on the copper belt and on the ground. Surely getting exercited about Bowan given his political back ground explained a lot to me about your calibre. So I’m not surprised how tribal you are. But for sure kainde has a sizeable number of voters in Luanshya and his candidents have always come second in all election to PF check ECZ previous results. His contribution to CK is not zero like him or not.
Njimbu….
Where are the mammoth crowds lungu was pulling in roan, the ones you told us to witness on ZNBC ????
CK told the people of roan the truth….that their sad state of affairs was fur to crap GRZ…..and not to listen to PF lies now after being neglected ……
That is why PF and lungu employ violence , to scare away voters from listening to the truth……they will use police to cancel opposition rallies or use violence to intimidate opposition so voters are not told the truth…..
Soaka this is an election and only one person can win. This time one person has won and we simply congratulate him. Let him work for the people of Roan. It’s doesn’t end at winning but at improving the lot of the constituency. Gloating and teasing will not satisfy the people.
CK has done it again . Junior Cobra. Sata started with one MP in luwingu district today the history is in making. Thanks to UPND. The win is for Zambians and congrats to Roan constituents for bashing corrupt PF. For those MPs in CB its terrifying just recall when opposition how MMD lost its entire MPS on CB. This result has a hallmark of the revolution during Bashichilufya Basata. Ck and HH work together and compromise as this is as sweeter win. MIGHT BRAINS THINK ALIKE.
Congratulations to NDC. See Zambians in normal places vote for reasonable people, this is a great result. I detest Bowman Lusambo and Jeanette kapata kikikiki. FDD for life. Okay as FDD do we even have MPs?
UPNDC coalition needed for 2021!
PF must go!