ECZ Commissioner David Matongo said in Dubai today that the tenacity for the team to work together despite belonging to different political parties and representing different organisations should be inculcated in all Zambians.

Mr. Matongo, who arrived in Dubai today, observed that the Commission was aware of the unity and the hard which the team, led by another ECZ Commissioner Emily Sikazwe, has exhibited during their work in Dubai.
“We have been following up through briefs which our colleagues who have been here brought back home and also newspapers and television Zambia have kept us informed,” he said.

He added that, “quite frankly, the peace you enjoy here as a group is the peace we would like to see back home as we proceed to the August 11elections.”

Mr. Matongo further pointed out that Zambians have no option but to maintain peace and unity during the elections period.

He noted that perceptions and suspicions among Zambians should be a thing of the past as they focus towards the election date, which is less than one month from now.

“I merely wish to commend you here for the job well done. I will lie if I said we have heard anything (back home) other than the hard work you have been doing. This is Zambian and I think we should maintain this,” he stressed.

And Mr. Matongo has disclosed that Lusaka and Namwala districts have experienced unprecedented peace during the 10 days during which political campaigns were suspended in the two areas.

He said this was an indication that the majority of Zambians were committing themselves to having peaceful elections in the country.

He was responding to a concern raised by the United Party for National Development (UPND) representative in Dubai, Jones Mulunga, who wanted to know what the ECZ was doing to maintain peace amidst signing of peace agreements among political parties in Zambia.

Mr. Matongo also said the signing of peace deals by political parties was part of the peace building process which the Electoral Commission of Zambia was employing towards elections.

“We believe that these elections will be peaceful. Let the best woman or man win. Ours is to deliver a credible election which will answer the wills of Zambians. Beyond that, we are not interested,” he said.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Shemmy Makelele, who joined team Zambia in Dubai a few days ago, said he was impressed with the quality of work done by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company which is printing the ballot papers.

Bishop Makelele, who is representing the Christian churches at the printing of ballot papers, said the spirit of unity, peace and love shown in team Zambia should be exercised in Zambia as well.

Representatives of political parties and civil society organisations have worked as a united force in the past two weeks and have described the whole printing process as transparent and of high quality.

The Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company is expected to complete the ballot paper printing process tomorrow.

Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company General Manager, Lakshmanan Ganapathy, told Mr. Matongo that the printing of national assembly ballot papers could be completed tomorrow.

Mr. Ganapathy said during the inspection of the printing and packaging process in the printing plant today, that the whole exercise of packing ballot paper boxes into pallets was likely be done by July 25, 2016.
He said by that time, the packaging of all the ballot papers and posters should be completed and ready for delivery to Zambia.

And the printing of local government ballot papers, which was at 84 percent on Sunday, has been completed.
Electoral Commission of Zambia Senior Public Relations Officer Sylvia Bwalya, said here today that only the printing of national assembly ballot papers was still on-going and the process was at 45 percent as of today.

Ms. Bwalya said the exercise has progressed very well and was on schedule.

The printing of ballot papers and posters for presidential, mayoral/council chairpersons, local government and referendum has all been completed.

Bishop Nyonyo said Mr Hichilema’s remarks that women must deny their husbands sex because they supported the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) should be the greatest insult to the women of Zambia.

He said it was unfortunate that the insult was coming from somebody aspiring to be the father of the nation in a few weeks time.

Bishop Nyonyo, who is also executive director for the Pentecostal Fellowship of Zambia, said Mr Hichilema must apologise unreservedly to the women of Zambia over the utterances.

“This should be known as the biggest insult to all the women in Zambia from a man aspiring to be the president of the nation. Mr Hichilema should apologise to the nation for the embarrassment he has caused himself, his wife, his sisters and all the women referred to because at his level he cannot be talking about sex in public in the manner he did,” Pastor Nyonyo said.

He said it was regrettable that a national leader should belittle sex in such a manner; especially that he claimed to want to lead the country on Biblical principles.

Bishop Nyonyo said Zambians must begin to learn the art of following true leadership by seeking God in their decisions in times of elections because it would be unfortunate to vote for a leader who enjoyed insults.

Meanwhile, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s inspiration to call for a black Friday is against all the Christian values that Zambia stands for, renowned gospel artist turned pastor BJ Ngosa has charged.

Mr Ngosa said that it was surprising that after the country had experienced a spate of ritual killings in different parts of the country Mr Hichilema would call for a black Friday.

He said that from the time President Edgar Lungu came into office, he had consistently urged citizens to turn to God in prayer and call on the name of Jesus Christ.

“From the time President Lungu came into power, all he has ever done is to call on all the people of Zambia to call on the name of the Lord.

“It is so amazing and so surprising that Mr Hichilema can today call the whole nation to a black Friday and after all we have gone through with the ritual killings,” he said.

Mr Chikwanda said this when he met party members in Luwingu district during his tour of Northern Province that some opposition party was accustomed to losing elections and that after the PF emerges victorious in the August 11 elections, its memory would be confined to a museum and history books.

He said that the PF had no difficulties to point at its achievements of developmental projects not only in the province but across the country.

Mr Chikwanda said that the PF would have no time for settling political scores once elected back into office, which he said was confident about.

Mr Chikwanda said that unlike the opposition political parties, the PF would concentrate to building on its past five years’ achievements with a greater momentum.

“As a party, we are not short of where to point at in terms of developmental projects. We have seen here that we have many to point at and this is the case everywhere in the country. This is what the PF is. Development is what we know best. That is why when PF comes into power, which we will, we shall just have to consolidate with a greater momentum to build on what was achieved in the past five years.

“We will have no time for settling political scores like our friends. Some of them have been losing all the time and will not even merit a story in history or qualify to be relics in the museum instead. They will go into a total irreversible oblivion but we will teach them how to behave properly and inculcate a sense of social responsibility,’’ Mr Chikwanda said.

He implored PF members to continue campaigning and go out in numbers on the polling day to give President Edgar Lungu a 100 percent vote.

The Council of Elders of the Zambia Elections Information Centre (ZEIC) has said that it is concerned with the apparent selective application of the Public Order Act by the Zambia Police Service which appears to have skewed the environment in the campaigns for the August 11 elections.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, said that the the application of the Public Order Act is largely seen as selective and unfair, and affecting the playfield, adding that a credible election begins with free and fair campaigns, on a level playfield

Below is the full statement

Press statement by the ZEIC Council of Elders

Lusaka, 17 July 2016: The Council of Elders of the Zambia Elections Information Centre (ZEIC) is concerned with the apparent selective application of the Public Order Act by the Zambia Police Service which appears to have skewed the environment in the campaigns for the August 11 elections.

Currently, the application of the Public Order Act is largely seen as selective and unfair, and affecting the playfield. A credible election begins with free and fair campaigns, on a level playfield.

Through the ZEIC platforms, the council has received numerous concerns from the citizens on this matter. Citizens do not want a situation where during this campaign period, some contenders are seen to be more equal than others, as we read in the famous story of the animal farm. For this election to be credible, we demand that the Police immediately put in place measures to make it conducive for all contesting political parties to campaign freely and fairly.

We commend the Electoral Commission of Zambia for putting in place measures to arrest the growing violence. However, we urge the Commission to avoid implementing measures that border on infringement of civil and political rights of the citizens to effectively participate in campaigns.

This is a very sensitive period in our country that requires all of us to be responsible, to preserve the peace and tranquillity that our nation is known for. It is the role of the ECZ and the Police to ensure that the right mechanisms are in place to prevent violence and to ensure that the campaigns are conducted in a free and fair manner. We call on the Police to make every effort to protect the rights of all citizens to assemble, and not to shamelessly hinder the enjoyment of such rights as we have experienced recently.

The Council of Elders also recognises that political players have a responsibility in controlling and preventing violence, we urge them to support the efforts of the Police and the ECZ in ensuring free and fair campaign season.

Issued by Fr. Leonard Chiti, Chairperson of the ZEIC Council of Elders

Members of the Council of Elders: Dr Anna Chifungula, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Mr Simon Zukas

SPORTS Minister Vincent Mwale says Choova Bicycle Race will remain supported by the Government.

The minister said when he officiated at this year’s Choova Bicycle Race held in Chipata yesterday that the ministry of youth, sport and child development would continue collaboration with diverse stakeholders and partners to ensure that Choova was developed to international levels such as Tour de-France.

Mwale said in a speech read on his behalf by assistant secretary Royd Tembo that Choova was unique because it was attracting both the tourists and local people.

The minister said sport such as Choova was providing the communities with the much needed entertainment and keeps the young people out of unproductive activities.

He said Choova was good because it was refraining youths from indulging into vices such as been drinking and prostitution among others.

“In this regard Choova as a well thought community sport initiative will remain supported by the Government through the ministry of youth, sport and child development,” he said.

Mwale said President Edgar Lungu led-Government would endeavor to create policy environment to encourage community participation in sport to empower people in the country socially and economically.

He paid tribute to the organisers of Choova for the tireless efforts in making this year’s Choova a successful amidst many challenges during the preparations.

Speaking earlier, Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Chipata station manager Stainley Mwanza warned cyclists to be careful when they were cycling their bicycles by following up the rules and regulation on the road to avoid accidents.

He said RTSA was gratified that it was part and parcel of the successful Choova which he said was part of raising awareness amongst the cyclists.

Mwanza said the major reasons for targeting the cyclists was because Chipata was relying on bicycles as a source of transport.

Choova was basically a community event that begun in 2002 by the Patel family.

Meanwhile, in a 52.2 kilometres race for men, Eliab Ngoma became victorious and walked home with big ‘tyred’ mountain bike and was trailed by Maliseni Phiri who got a plasma television set.

Some winners in the women and people living with disabilities categories walked home with different prizes.

In a pastoral letter issued by Zambia Conference Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) and read by Kasama Diocese Archbishop Ignatius Chama at the 125 years of Catholicism in Zambia held at St Annes Cathedral Parish,the prelates said Zambians were expecting the politicians to focus on key governance and developmental issues that would help the electorate to make informed decisions.

“Democracy requires in the first place that all citizens exercise their right to vote in a free and peaceful environments.Much as we are proudly acclaimed for being a peaceful country,we should never talk things for granted,”the bishops demanded.

They stated that given the increasing incidents of politically motivated violence and continued tension between members of the political parties,the record of being peaceful was increasingly being threatened.

They stated that bishops were afraid that if the current spate of violence was not cured may have a serious impact on the voter turnout as many eligible voters might fear going to vote due to security concerns.

“As we have often noted,the free will of the people in the hallmark of the any credible election.We must therefore pay particular attention to key aspects that can enhance or reduce and even negate the credibility of the forthcoming elections.Some of the key conditions for any elections to be peaceful,credible and transparent include peaceful atmosphere,”the bishops said.

They stated that it was the duty of the police to protect life and property and also maintain law and order in the country.

The bishops called upon the Zambia Police Service to perform their duties of maintaining law and order professionally and effectively without undue pressure from partisan influence.

They indicated that the police must be impartial in applying the law fairly to anyone who breaks the laws of the country.

They called on the police to implement the public order act in the most appropriate manner by ensuring that they do not exercise any inconsistencies or biases when dealing with different groups of peaople for any alleged offences or when political parties have provided notices for holding of their public meetings and political rallies.

The bishops further called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) not to be seen to be an institution that was being manipulated to suit the interest of one group or political party.

They said ECZ commissioners and staffs must remain resolute and professionally conduct their business in providing the neccesary mechanisms in the electoral process that would guarantee free and fair elections.

The bishops said the ECZ officers must remember that the Lod demands fairness in every business deal in which He sets the standarda according to Proverbs 16 versus 11.

“The ECZ is the legally constituted body mandated to manage our elections in such a manner that the right of the people to choose their leaders is unfettered.Given the many pressures exerted on the ECZ by various interest groups during election,there is need for high levels of integrity by the ECZ officers,”the bishops said.

On the media,the bishops said the role of the media in the electoral process cannot be over emphasised because it had the duty to cover all players in the electoral process.

They indicated that all players in the electoral process need access to mass media to propagate their agendas and programmes in a more efficient way.

The bishops said an impartial media that would treat every player equally was cardinal and urged the both the public and private media to adhere to the principle and ethics of fairness as well as truthful.

They urged the public media to be professional to ensure full and fair coverage of all political parties .

The bishops also called on the responsible use and reception of social media stating that all the consumers of the media outlets to be critical of the messages they receive from various media because it was not everything that they read,hear or watch to contain the truth especially the information they get from the social media.

The bishops also said the Catholic Church does not and would not support or prop up a particular political party or candidate.

They stated that chosing was the free cthoice its leaves to the flocks charging that the church embracew members from diverse political persuasions and jealously protects their freedom of association.

They said based on the Christian principles,the Church could provide some guidance that could help its members make informed choices among the many candidates and political parties that present themselves for election.

“Drawing from the social teaching of the church,the qualities that candidates for political office should have professional competence on political,economic and social programmes,courage to speak out the truth,concern for social justice,desire to work for the common good instead of self enrichment,disposition to use power for service especially service of the poor and under privileged,openess to dialogue,good moral standing,transparency and accountability to the electorate,”the bishops said.

They stated tgat all Christians have a moral responsbility to vote for candidates who follow the example of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve and who emptied himself for the good of all.

The bishops said Christians should not vote for candidates who were arrognant with a propensity to use violence,people with questionable moral standings,those with proven record of corruption and abuse of power and public resourcee and those who put narrow sectarian or ethnic interest before national interest and the common good.

They appealed to the Catholic priests to remain non partisan stating that it was morally wrong for the Catholic priests to use the pulpit to campaign for or decampaign any political party or parties.

The bishops said the Catholic politicians must celebrate mass without being given platform to speak during liturgical celebrations.

On referendum,the bishops said there was imperative that more effort was made by both the Government and Non Governmental Organisations actors including the church to educate the people on the forthcoming elections and counsel them to vote wisely without coercing them to vote either yes or no.

They statee that little has been done by concerned Government bodies to popularise the new and expanded draft on the Bill of Rights.

The bishops called on all Zambians who have registered as voters to turn up and cast their votes during the voting day.

They said voting was not only a right but also a duty to the country to help identify and put in place credible people who would make the state function in promotion of the common good.

They appealed to Zambians never to get tired of voting as apathy would only give greater chance to opportunists to carry the day.

They stated that voting was one of the fundamental rights and duties of every citizen and appealed to all Zambians not to be cheated and bribed during the elections.

The letter was signed by Lusaka Diocese Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu,Archbishop Chama,Ndola Diocese Bishop Alick Banda,Livingstone Apostolic adminstrator Bishop Raymond Mpezele,Chipata Diocese Bishop George Lungu,Solwezi Diocese Bishop Charles Kasonde,Mongu Diocese Bishop Evans Chinyemba,Kabwe Diocese Bishop Clement Mulenga,Mansa Diocese Bishop Patrick Chisanga,Monze Diocese Bishop Moses Hamungole,Mpika Diocese Bishop Justin Mulenga,Chipata Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Benjamin Phiri,Bishop Emeritus of Mansa Diocese Aaron Chisha and Bishop elect of Livingstone Monsignor Valentine Kalumba.