The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima has described as a myth allegations that the ECZ had magic pens at the polling stations whose ink purportedly fades after a voter has marked the ballot paper or the mark shifts from one candidate’s slot to another.

She said such a thing does not happen and is merely a myth.

Justice Mambilima has since appealed for calm, patience and peace among stakeholders in particular and Zambians in general as election results pour into the elections results centre.

And Justice Mambilima has dismissed allegations of pre-marked ballot papers saying the Commission had not come across such papers.

“All ballot papers in this election were from the Electoral Commission of Zambia and all had serial numbers with complete audit trial.

She however explained that the Commission has established that its posters that exemplify what the ballot paper will look like are the ones being confused for actual ballot papers.

Meanwhile ECZ has regretted violent disturbances that took place at Nakatindi polling station in Kanyama and Matero constituencies in Lusaka.

ECZ Chairperson, Irene Mambilima said as a result of the disturbances, the Nakatindi polling station and all its polling materials were completely destroyed buy irate people in the area.

ZANIS reports that Justice Mambilima said during a briefing at the election results centre at Mulungushi International Conference Centre this afternoon that the disturbances were caused mainly by the late opening of the polling station.

She said District Electoral Officers went against the ECZ’s instruction that all poll staff should spend nights at their respective polling stations for timely opening.

She further said the concerned poll staff, for reasons best known to themselves only reported on the morning of the election day thereby delaying the opening of the polling station.

“Also, there was failure by these officers to check their inventory for the status resulting in time being wasted looking for shortfalls. The Commission on its part ensured that all the materials were timely delivered to the various districts,” she explained.

Justice Mambilima said it was therefore disappointing and inexcusable that the concerned officers exhibited high levels of lack of seriousness and irresponsibility to an important national event such as an election.

She said the Commission will require explanations from those concerned.

And Justice Mambilima has disclosed that voting in three polling stations in Lukulu West constituency, which were delayed, started at 06:00 hours this morning and was to close at 18:00 hours this evening.

She said the delay to conduct elections in the three polling stations was caused by overzealous political party cadres that prevented the Zambia Air Force helicopter from airlifting election materials to the polling stations.

“As a result land transport had to be used to transport the materials at night with a lot of difficulties,” she said.

ZANIS

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) presidential candidate in the 2011 tripartite elections Rupiah Banda has won in 10 out of the 22 constituencies whose election results had been announced by the Electoral Commission (ECZ) by 18:00 hours on Wednesday.

And Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has won nine of the 22 constituencies with a relatively huge margin especially in the Copperbelt Province urban constituencies and in Luapula Province.

Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate, Hakainde Hichilema won in three of the 22 constituencies that have already been announced.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Banda has won in Malambo (11,291), Katuba (7,899), Chadiza (8,862), Serenje (4,851), Nakonde (11,376), Mpongwe (9,053), Kabompo West (5,258), Rufunsa (6,614), Feira (3,843) and Chavuma (6,042) while Mr. Sata got Kankoyo (9,642), Kantanshi (15,280), Roan (12,950), Nkana (20,391), Wusakili (20,768), Nchanga (21,427), Kamfinsa (14,730) in the Copperbelt Province, Mwense (10,271) in Luapula Province and Bwacha (10,317) in Central Province.

The UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema had by press time won in his traditional stronghold Southern Province and in Nangoma in Central Province.

In Monze Central, Mr. Hichilema got 21,373 votes while in Itezhi Tezhi constituency he garnered 7,520 and won in Nangoma in Central Province with 5,860.

In all these constituencies, National Restoration Party (NAREP) leader, Elias Chipimo Junior, Heritage Party’s (HP) Godfrey Miyanda, Forum for Democracy and Development’s (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi and United National Independence Party’s (UNIP) Tilyenji Kaunda got a paltry votes.

National Movement for Progress (NMP) leader Ng’andu Magande, Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) leader Fredrick Mutesa and Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) leader, Charles Milupi also terribly lost in these constituencies.

Results from many other constituencies have continued to pour into the ECZ’s election results centre at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, the church, local election monitors and international election observers have remained calm but eager to hear results from all parts of the country.

And Presidential results for Nakonde district in Northern Province in the just – ended September 20 tripartite elections have been officially announced at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) main results centre at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Movement for Multiparty Democracy’(MMD) ‘s incumbent President Rupiah Banda was leading with 11, 378 votes followed by Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front who got 9,363.

ZANIS reports that Hichilema Hakainde of UPND got 433 votes, Chipimo Elias of National Restoration Party (NAREP) 137, United National Independence Party (UNIP) Tilyenji Kaunda 114, and Milupi Charles of Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) 59 votes.

Magande Ngandu of NMP 53, Nawakwi Edith of FDD 31, Mutesa Frederick of ZED 22 and Miyanda Godfrey of Heritage Party managed only 17 votes.

Earlier, Nakonde District Returning Officer Titus Walima announced the results at 12:18 this afternoon at the totaling centre held at Nakonde civic centre.

Meanwhile, the MMD has won 9 wards out of a total of 13 wards in the Nakonde constituency.

The PF has got 4 wards from the MMD in Nakonde central, Isunda, Chiwanza and Old Fife.

The PF has since conceded defeat in Nakonde constituency in the just ended elections.

ZANIS

ZANIS

The Patriotic Front (PF) has scooped Kabwe Central constituency and party president Michael Sata beat the nine contesters in yesterday’s tripartite elections.

Announcing the results at Kabwe Municipal Council at about 16:30hrs today, Returning Officer Nelly Chimuka said Michael Chilufya Sata polled 15, 646 followed by Rupiah Bwezani Banda of the MMD who garnered 8,650 votes.

UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema got 2, 195 votes while FDD president Edith Nawakwi managed only 60 votes.

Other contestants included National Restoration party president Elias Chipimo Jr who got 46 votes ADD president Charles Milupi 29 votes, ZED president Richard Mutesa 08 votes , UNIP 39 and Heritage party president Brig, Gen. Godfrey Miyanda managed 62 votes.

Mrs. Chimuka did however not announce the total number of votes cast and those rejected saying these will be made ready tomorrow.

In the parliamentary race, James Kapyanga PF candidate scooped Kabwe Central constituency after garnering 14, 884 beating MMD’s Jane Mwewa Chileshe who got 8, 348 votes.

UPND’s Margaret Muyangana got 2, 415 while FDD Redson Mtonga managed 445 votes, UNIP Jairus Chakulanta went away with 601 votes and Christine Chikanwa, an independent candidate who got 211.

Meanwhile there was jubilation by PF carders outside the Municipal council when after the announcement of Kapyanga’s victory who lifted him.

And the Patriotic Front has won the Kankoyo parliamentary seat in Mufulira district.

Patriotic Front candidate Levy Chabala polled 8, 420 votes beating three other candidates from the MMD, UPND, UPDD, and UNIP.

Mr Chabala was followed by MMD’s Shadreck Musonzya who polled 3,235 with UPND’s Patrick Mbetela coming third with 729 votes.

ZANIS reports that Presiding Officer Tryson Chuunga announced the results for Kankoyo Parliamentary at 12: 35 hours.

In the election, the other two candidates were Emmanuel Simumba of UPDD and Zulu Vuto who got 308 and 75 votes respectively.

Meanwhile, the Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has emerged victorious in the presidential elections in Kankoyo constituency after scoring 9,642 votes.

MMD ‘s Rupiah Banda came second with 2,794 votes followed by UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema who scored 303.

Elias Chipimo of NAREP scored 30 while Ng’andu Magande had a tie with Heritage’s Geoffrey Miyanda with 15 votes each followed by Charles Milupi of ADD with 10 votes.

The other contestants are FDD’S Edith Nawakwi who came second last and Fredrick Mutesa of ZED who only managed a paltry three votes.

The PF has also scooped all the wards in Kankoyo constituency in Mufulira except for Kwacha ward where the election was suspended due to an omission of two contesting candidates on the ballot papers.

And Mpelembe ward, the winning candidate was not announced due to technical problems on the computer that was used to print the results.

In Kantanshi, the Patriotic Front has reclaimed Kantanshi Parliamentary seat in Mufulira district after the party’s candidate Yamfwa Mukanga scored 13,452 votes beating four other contesters.

The MMD came second with its candidate Daniel Mutimushi scoring 2,981 votes followed by David Nkhanta an independent candidate who polled 2 126 while UPND ‘s Josphine Lukwesa was in fourth position with 451 votes.

ZANIS reports that Presiding Officer Gilbert Kaluba declared the results for Kantanshi at 13 hours (1pm).

The UPND candidate was followed by Tanny Mbewe of Forum For Democracy and Development who scored 188 votes while UNIP was trailing behind with only 74 votes.

The Patriotic Front has also recorded the highest votes in the presidential elections in Kantanshi constituency with its part President Micheal Sata polling 15,280 followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda who scored 3,221 with UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema polling 277 votes.

NAREP’S Ellias Chipimo polled 29 votes while Charles Milupi of ADD got 26 votes.

Heritage’s Godfrey Miyanda and the FDD’s Edith Nawakwi both got 20 votes while UNIP’s Tilyenji Kaunda and Ng’andu Magande got 18 and 16 votes respectively as Fredrick Mutesa of ZED only managed 9 votes.

And the Patriotic Front has taken 9 wards out of the 10 wards in the constituency losing only one ward to the MMD .

In Mufulira Central Constituency, Patriotic Front’s John Kufuna beat four other candidates to emerge winner in the Mufulira central constituency.

Mr Kufuna polled 10,384 beating MMD’s Evans Chibanda who came second with 5,729 followed by UPND’s Mulundu Mpundu who got 317 with UNIPs Kabango Oliver trailing with 251 votes.

And in the presidential Elections, the Patriotic Front again got the highest number of votes.

The PF candidate scored 11,318 followed by the MMD candidate who got 4,779 and UPND candidate who got 374 while UNIP candidate polled 67 votes.

NAREP got 44, followed by ADD whose candidate scored 33 votes while Ng’andu Magande of NMP managed to get 22 votes and Geoffrey Miyanda of Heritage party polled only 19 votes while FDD and ZED scored 5 and 9 votes respectively.

Meanwhile the Patriotic Front has won the majority of wards in the Constituency.
The party has won 8 wards out of 10 in Mufulira Central constituency.

The wards lost are Mutundu which went to the MMD and Kafue which was lost to an independent candidate.
Meanwhile the situation still remained peaceful in Mufulira district today.

ZANIS

The Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ- has warned media houses against announcing that any Presidential candidates has won the Presidency before the Commission announces the final results.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Cris Akufuna says it is mischievous and wrong for any media house to run headlines or stories purporting that a candidate has worn or conceded defeat before all the results are announced by the ECZ.

Mr Akufuna says speculations concerning the elections are not allowed and are against the electoral code of conduct.

He says media houses should realise that elections are a sensitive issue which should be handled responsibly to avoid confusing the electorates.

He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on today.

[ZNBC]

Movement for multi party democracy MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda is reported to have been beaten last night by unknown people.

According to information obtained, Mr. Banda is said to have gone to Chibolya Basic School to harass policemen who were manning the school.

Mr.Banda is said to have insulted the policemen that there were not doing their job in protecting the party in government.

As his team of party cadres were driving away, some unknown people dragged Mr. Banda out of the car and beat him.

It was at that point that Mr. Banda fired three gun shots, making his attackers scampering in all direction leaving the restless MMD Lusaka province chairman screening for help.

A few hours ago, Mr. William Banda was said to be admitted to the University teaching Hospital.

Some Police officers confirmed to QFM News on the incident.

And Deputy Commissioner of police Auxenxio Mbewe was last evening stoned by unruly MMD cadres as he led a unit of riot police to rescue electoral officers that were caught in the violence in John Leing.

Mbewe who spoke to journalists immediately after the rescue operation said the riotous behaviour is being spearheaded by young men who he said do not have anything to do.

he discosed that he was stoned on his forehead as well as his left leg as his unit apprehended 10 of the riotous.

he said his unit was reinforcing and heading back to John Leing to try and contain the situation in the area where tires are being burnt on the roads as youths continue to ran amok.

The Police Commissioner stated that it is only the Lusaka that is experiencing sporadic of violence.

QFM

Counting of votes in the 2011 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local government elections started last night at Nakatindi hall in Lusaka.

Counting of votes is currently going on at Nakatindi hall for Lusaka central, Kanyama and Kabwata constituencies respectively.

ZANIS reports that ballot papers in the company of election monitors, agents and police were being transported to Nakatindi hall a totalling centre for Lusaka.

However, results are yet to be declared by the Returning Officer appointed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

People are gathered at the hall anxiously waiting for the results to be declared.

Ten political parties are in the presidential race in this year’s tripartite elections among them, the MMD, PF, UPND, NAREP, FDD, HP, ZED ADD and NMP.

Meanwhile, suspected PF cadres beat up Mandevu constituency Returning Officer Morgan Kasale for allegedly transporting ballot boxes without the company of election monitors.

Mr Kasale who was driving a Mitsubishi Pajero registration number ABT 5692 arrived at Nakatindi hall at about 06:45 hours and upon arrival PF cadres questioned him why he was alone without the escort of election monitors and political party agents.

This prompted the PF cadres to manhandle and beat him up but quick action by the police saved him from further beatings.

He has however been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Earlier, PF Mandevu aspiring candidate Jean Kapata in an interview with ZANIS condemned the unprofessional manner Mr Kasale conducted himself.

She also expressed confidence that she would retain Mandevu parliamentary seat.

Meanwhile, The Zambia Police have arrested ten (10) suspected people in Lusaka’s John Laing compound for violence and riotous behaviour.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Auxencia Mbewe said the riots were triggered after the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was accused of taking long to take election material at John Laing basic school polling station.

Mr. Mbewe told journalists in an interview at Lusaka’s Nakatindi hall Tuesday evening that the police managed to apprehend the culprits after deploying more officers to the area.

ZANIS reports that he said the situation was bad as the arrested rioters pelted stones at the school’s roof top and the election officers.

Mr. Mbewe said the Zambia Police has not yet probed the matter but would quickly do so.

He said Police would ensure that perpetrators of violence are brought to book as soon as possible.

The Police Deputy Commissioner observed that Lusaka is the only ward that has so far recorded violent and riotous behaviour.

He described the situation in other parts of the country as calm unlike the scenario in some parts of Lusaka.

ZANIS

-Two polling stations in Kabwe central constituency in Central Province will close after midnight tonight because they opened late.

A check by ZANIS at about 22:30hrs at Waya A in Katondo compound and Hellen Kaunda in Kasanda Mine compound respectively, found Presiding Officers and polling assistants attending to voters.

At Hellen Kaunda long queues could still be found at around 20hrs.

The station delayed to open because ballot papers were not delivered in time forcing voters to cause confusion which led to breaking of a ballot box and four covers.

Presiding Officer Judith Kaluba told ZANIS that her station will close at 00:24 to compensate for the lost time.

However, the situation was normalised after police moved in quickly to control the people who were riled by delayed ballot boxes.

At Waya A in Katondo compound, Presiding Officer Keren Chisenga said the station will also close after midnight.

ZANIS