Tommorrow, 20 September 2011, is the day. Alea iacta est. The die is cast. The answer belongs to the Lord.

Recently, there has been much talk and speculation and allegations that the Zambia intelligence services are involved in electoral malpractice. This is a very serious accusation that the chief of the service must address and answer to.

Indeed in every intelligence service there are rogue individuals who may do things without the authority of the superiors, but this arm of public service must not be tainted by rumour and innuendo.

The former chief of ZISS Mr Xavier Chungu may have been involved in strange things with his employer the late Dr Chiluba, and that is clear. However, to insinuate that this is an ordinary and normal process for our Intelligence services, needs more evidence than what we have so far been treated to.

In the US and Britain, the work of the intelligence security services such as the CIA and MI5 is so secret that sometimes, as was revealed during the Iraq enquiries as well as the issue of extra-ordinary rendition that even politicians are kept in the dark as to what exactly is going on.

The reason is simple. The responsibility of Intelligence wings goes far beyond the individual politician but extends to the very core and existence of the nation state. Politicians come and go, but the nation state must remain. Thus, where the Intelligence officer sees a threat to the very existence of the nation state, he must act to prevent that damage, even if it appears to be ‘the will of the people.’

Retired General Collin Powel said clearly, ‘I do not comment on what the CIA does.’ This is poignant. The Intelligence service is crucial to the existence of a secure state and that is why we should not subject this high institution to ridicule.

There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The dodgy dosier on which the whole case for war against a sovereign state was made, was based on a ‘loopy’ Iraq dissident’s thesis whom the CIA never spoke to and was in prison in Germany! There would have been much to say against the CIA and MI5, but none of the politicians ever complained or criticised these institutions, not publicly at least!

Even the media only criticised the polititians and there are some people who were ready to indict Mr Bush and Mr Blair for war crimes. They acted purely on the basis of the intelligence that they were given and that is and will always be fallible as long as human beings are involved.

The point I am trying to make is this, that our Intelligence services have a higher cause to serve than that of individuals. Where they see, rightly or wrongly, a threat to the state, they should act in the interest of the state. They would be wrong to do so in the interest of an individual. Perhaps, our Intelligence friends trained in eastern Europe and under the UNIP regime, may have had other than the correct aims in their work, but this needs to be re-aligned and they need to be re-programmed to understand that their aim is to serve the nation state and not the political party in power. When this is in place, we would not comment on what ZISS does.

LEGS

Most workouts are concentrated on the upper-body , but the legs most not be forgotten.  If you are  focusing too much on your upper body, not only will you look disproportionate, but you will also miss out on the number of fitness benefits inherent in training your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles, including increasing your overall lean muscle mass, which, in turn, improves your calorie and fat burning capabilities, and improving your performance in all sports.

BEST LEG WORKOUTS

SQUATS

If you only have time for one leg exercise , squats are the ones you should do. They work on your front and back thigh muscles , inner thigh , butt , calf ,lower back and the waist. Basically they work your entire lower body.

How its done;

1. With the barbell on the squat rack, duck your head under and ascend until your shoulders touch the barbell. If you are using dumbbells ,hold them at shoulder level at your side.
2. Keeping your back straight, lift the barbell off the rack and step back (so that you clear the rack when you perform your squat).
3. Your feet should be just wider than shoulder width apart.
4. Now, squat down, keeping your back arched, until your thighs are parallel with the floor (or slightly more).
5. Return to starting position
6. Repeat steps 5 & 6 until you’ve repeated the desired number of reps.

PRECAUTION

It is very important to keep your back arched as you bring the weight back up. This is the key to lifting heavy weights. Many people hurt their backs performing squats because they bend their backs as they try to lift the weight back up. Doing this can also put you off balance and cause you to fall forward.

LUNGES

CALF RAISES

FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Edward Mumbi has strongly condemned PF leader Michael Sata for deliberately trying to ignore the Electoral Code of Conduct and inciting his cadres to cause confusion by staying at polling stations after voting.

Mr Mumbi also challenged international election observers to keep a ?close eye on Mr Sata whom he said had continued to act in a manner which can plunge the county into turmoil. “International observers, especially Southern African Development Community observer mission, should take note of these statements from Mr Sata, which are deliberately calculated to incite party cadres to take matters of safeguarding the electoral process in their own hands,” Mr Mumbi said He said international observers should also take special note of Mr Sata’s failure to denounce violence, when President Rupiah? Banda has consistently spoken out against violence.

“Instead, Mr Sata and other PF leaders have consistently encouraged their party members to take the law in their own hands when they perceive or suspect something wrong. This is very dangerous because there are official agencies charged with protecting the interests of all players in the electoral process.” Mr Mumbi said it was wrong for Mr Sata to incite his cadres to commit an offence instead of encouraging them to abide by the electoral code of conduct which was clear on the requirements on the elections day.

He said Mr Sata’s instruction to PF cadres was a recipe for violence and was alarming and advised the youths against heeding the PF leader’s advice because he would not protect them when they fall foul of the law. He said it was criminal for Mr Sata to urge his cadres to camp at the polling stations, a situation which had never occurred before. Mr Mumbi said Mr Sata was once a government official who was supposed to be well versed with the requirements of the elections and it was shameful that he had chosen to now behave otherwise just because he was hungry to get to power.

“This is why I am urging the international election observers to keep a close eye on Mr Sata. This is the man who cries the loudest even where there is nothing to cry at and yet he himself is a renown law breaker who even chooses to break law deliberately,” he said. He urged all the Zambians to condemn Mr Sata’s irresponsible behaviour. Mr Mumbi said PF Vice President Guy Scott is also on record as ?claiming that officers in the intellifgence service were prepared to rig elections. “The intelligence service is a very sensitive institution and should be left out of politics. These statements are meant to undermine the credibility of the Electoral Commission of Zambia in the eyes of people. Scott should respect Zambians and let them make their own choice,” Mr Mumbi said.

And Iternational Fellowship of Christian Churches (IFCC) president Bishiop Simon Chihana has condemned calls by Mr Sata that people? should stay at polling stations after voting saying that would only stir up strife. “It is illegal to do that and it will only bring about confusion so we urge the people to go and vote after which they should return home,”Bishop Chihana said. He urged political aspirants to preach peace and ensure that they advise the electorates properly. IFCC vice president Jack Musumba echoed Bishop Chihana’s sentiments that Pastor T.B Joshua had refuted the rumour that he had prophesied?doom for Zambia.

[Times of Zambia]

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said that lingering at polling stations after a voter has cast his or her vote is an electoral offence, which will not be condoned in the tripartite elections on September 20.

Director of elections Priscilla Isaac said in an interview on yesterday that remaining at polling stations is not allowed, and that voters will leave polling stations immediately after voting or risk being arrested.

“Once you cast your vote, you leave. So, no one will be allowed within 400 metres of any polling station,” she said.

Ms Isaac was reacting to a story in The Post newspaper edition of September 18 which Mr Sata reportedly urged Zambians to defend their votes tomorrow by remaining at polling stations after casting their votes.

In the story, Mr Sata called on voters to be alert and physically inspect any suspicious-looking people at polling stations, a purely police function.

According to PF president Michael Sata, while speaking on a QFM special programme on Saturday night, the Government agencies, including the Electoral Commission of Zambia are working in collusion with the MMD to rig elections on Tuesday. He called on his supporters go out to vote early, remain at polling booths and wait for instructions from Patriotic Front command centres on how to deal with any attempts to subvert the will of the people.

[pullquote]“We cannot tell you now. The issue is that people must go out early and then we shall tell them what to do. But I must warn all those wanting to rig the poll that they will have to prepare for the consequences of such acts,” Mr Sata said.[/pullquote]

Mr Sata said the party has all the information on the plans to rig the Tuesday poll but adequate measures were in place to defeat the evil being coordinated by self-confessed vote rigger Vernon Mwaanga.

“We cannot tell you now. The issue is that people must go out early and then we shall tell them what to do. But I must warn all those wanting to rig the poll that they will have to prepare for the consequences of such acts,” Mr Sata said.

Mr Sata further revealed that the PF established itself with necessary vote monitoring mechanisms including parallel vote tabulation and so will know the actual result in good time and thus no one will fool them into accepting a rigged poll this time around.

“All (government) agencies including the ECZ are working as wings of the MMD but people must go out and vote early and follow what the party leadership will tell from time to time,” he said.

Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ ) spokesperson Chris Akufuna says the wearing of party regalia when going to vote on Tuesday will not be entertained.

Mr Akufuna said that contrary to suggestions by some political parties contesting Tuesday’s poll for members not to leave their respective polling stations after voting , all voters will be expected to leave the polling stations after voting.

He advised at all the voters to heed to this regulation.

He also reminded voters that it is against the Electoral Code of Conduct for voters to remain at the poling station after casting their votes.

He said according to section 59, subsection 6(F) of the Electoral Act, a voter must without delay leave the polling station after voting.

Mr Akufuna said the Commission has since given instructions District Electoral Officers to ensure that there are no political party activities and no voters who have already voted to remain within 400 metres of the polling station.

However, the opposition parties such as the Patriotic Front have accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia are working in collusion with the MMD to rig elections on Tuesday but people must go out to vote early, remain at polling booths and wait for instructions from Patriotic Front command centres on how to deal with any attempts to subvert the will of the people.

On a special QFM special programme on Saturday night, the PF leader Michael Sata said his party has all the information on the plans to rig the Tuesday poll but adequate measures were in place to defeat the evil being coordinated by self-confessed vote rigger Vernon Mwaanga.

“We cannot tell you now. The issue is that people must go out early and then we shall tell them what to do. But I must warn all those wanting to rig the poll that they will have to prepare for the consequences of such acts,” Mr Sata said.

The PF has established itself with necessary vote monitoring mechanisms including parallel vote tabulation and so will know the actual result in good time and thus no one will fool them into accepting a rigged poll this time around.

“All (government) agencies including the ECZ are working as wings of the MMD but people must go out and vote early and follow what the party leadership will tell from time to time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Akufuna says voters are free to use their own pens on Tuesday as long as they are not fountain pens.

Mr Akufuna stated that fountains pens will not be allowed adding that only ordinary ball point pens will be permitted to mark the ballot papers

He said those voters who will feel not comfortable to use pens which will be provided by the ECZ are free to use Ball pens and not any other pen.

ZANIS

With just a day before the 2011 presidential, parliamentary and local government elections are held in Zambia, President Rupiah Banda has once again called on Zambians to strictly observe the laws of the land toward peaceful polls.

In his radio and television address to the nation on the tripartite elections this evening, President Banda said those that will go against the law will be dealt with accordingly.

He said all political candidates and their cadres must abide by the law concerning the close of the campaign period this morning at 06:00 hours.

“Anybody caught campaigning will face prosecution. Even worse, candidates can be struck off the electoral process and their nominations cancelled. The risks are too high, so I urge all to observe the 48-hour ban on campaigning,” he warned.

He said he was aware that in this period, people become impatient and influenced by rumours and stories.

President Banda has therefore urged Zambians to be patient on any premature celebrations or commiserations until after the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officially announced the final results.

“To those who may be contemplating any illegal acts or intimidation or even worse—physical violence, I have this message for you; I have ordered the police to arrest and prosecute all those who offend. Expect no mercy, expect no favour, expect only the full force of the law to come down on you,” he said.

Mr. Banda said the Zambian people were proud of the country’s democracy and its peace and stability.

He pointed out that for this reason, he would not allow anybody to smear the good reputation of Zambia in the remaining time.

“The world is watching us, election observers are amongst us. Journalists will be reporting on how we conduct ourselves. Let us not disappoint them as violence has no place in a democracy,” he said.

[pullquote]“To those who may be contemplating any illegal acts or intimidation or even worse—physical violence, I have this message for you; I have ordered the police to arrest and prosecute all those who offend. Expect no mercy, expect no favour, expect only the full force of the law to come down on you,” he said.[/pullquote]

The President has also appealed to Zambians to exhibit their historical hospitability, respect for the law and the democratic process.

“Show them that we are mature enough to accept the official results, whatever they may be,” he said.

President Banda further noted that the last eight weeks since the campaign period was declared, candidates made their case to convince voters to vote for them.

He said it was now up to Zambians to weigh up all the candidates and cast their vote accordingly.

He said Zambians were now able to ask themselves which candidates were suitable for their wards, constituencies and State House and which party had the best policies for Zambia.

“Only you can answer those questions. On 20th September, we all have just one vote. Democracy gives each person the same status. A manager and his workers all have just one vote each. A chief and a shepherd have just one vote each. And I, as President, have a single vote. On election day, we are all equal,” he emphasized.

The President has since urged Zambians to take full advantage of the electoral process that normally occurs every five years and decide which political party should form the next government.

He said the casting of votes should however be done in the spirit of brotherly love and peace.

“But democracy only works when people participate,” he said.

President Banda said he decided to make Tuesday, September 20th a national holiday in order to increase the participation of people in the process.

“Once you have cast your vote, enjoy the rest of the day off peacefully. Those who do not vote do not have the right to complain,” he said adding that this election will see the most ever votes in Zambia’s history.

On Tuesday, September 20th, Zambians countrywide will cast their votes from 06:00 hours in the morning to 18:00 hours in the evening.

Out of the 13 million Zambians, slightly over 5 million are eligible to vote in this year’s elections.

This year’s elections have attracted 10 political parties fielding presidential candidates, the highest number of presidential candidates in the history of Zambia.

Those battling it out at presidential level include the incumbent Rupiah Banda standing on the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) ticket, Michael Sata of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF), Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Godfrey Miyanda sponsored by the Heritage Party (HP).

Others are Elias Chipimo Junior of the National Restoration Party (NAREP), the Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) is fielding Fredrick Mutesa, while Ng’andu Magande is standing on the National Movement for Progress (NMP) ticket and Charles Milupi of the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD).

The rest are Edith Nawakwi, who is the only lady in the presidential contest, is standing on the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) while the oldest political party in the country, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) has fielded Tilyenji Kaunda, a son of first President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda.

ZANIS