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The United Party for National Development (UPND) has thanked the pact partners, Patriotic Front (PF) for the support rendered to the party during the Chilanga by elections.
The UNPD has also congratulated the PF on the victory of the ward by-elections held in Muva, Nkwazi, and Chinsali seats on behalf of the PACT.
In a letter addressed to the patriotic front, dated October 27, 2010, and copied to QFM, UPND acting national youth Secretary Brian Hapunda said though it is unfortunate that the PACT never won the Mpulungu parliamentary seat, the UPND is thankful of the team dispatched to Chilanga which resulted in the victory on behalf of the PACT.
THE UPND has,however, expressed sadness on the unfair coverage by the post newspapers on the party against the pact partner’s PF.
He said that the party regrets the unbiased reporting by the POST each time they were covering a news item concerning the pact.
Mr. Hapunda alleged that more coverage is given to the PF than the UPND.
He added that the unfair coverage has led to most Zambian people doubt the sustainability of the UPND/ PF Pact.
[ QFM ]
President Rupiah Banda has supported the arrest of members of the Barotse Freedom Movement.
M.r Banda said people who resort to violence to champion any cause deserve to be arrested and that those with concerns on the Barotse issue should seek dialogue instead of instigating violence.
The President also said he does not understand why some individuals are panicking over the Barotse issue.
He was speaking to journalists at Lusaka’s City Airport before flying to Chipata to commission houses for police officers Tuesday.
In another development, Mr Banda has maintained that critics of his trips are wrong.
He reiterated that as a chief executive officer of the country he will not relent to inspect projects across the country.
[ ZNBC ]
Wednesday was good day for Zesco United, Zanaco and Power Dynamos in their Week 28 games today.
27/10/2010
ZANACO 2-KONKOLA BLADES 0
Zanaco’s belated and onerous battle to retain their Faz Super Division title began on a good note today after beating visiting Konkola Blades 2-0 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Lewis Macha and Lottie Nyambili found the back of the net in the 1st and 88th minutes of the game respectively.
Zanaco rise one place up the table from 12 to 11th place on 31 points after 20 matches with eight games in hand at the end of Week 28 matches.
ROAN UNITED 0-ZESCO UNITED 3
Zesco United scored three goals within the hour-mark to keep their pace in the Ndola clubs bid to win their third Super Division title after a 3-0 away win over Roan United at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
Chileshe Kangwa was on target first in the 32nd minute to see Zesco go 1-0 into the break.
Midfielder Kondwani Mtonga scored his second goal in as many games on 52nd minute before defender Billy Mwanza slotted in a spot-kick in the 57th minute.
Zesco have opened a seven-point gap on 57 points and need to win both their remaining two games to end Zanaco’s hopes of retaining the title who can only garner 61 points from their remaining 10 games.
CITY OF LUSAKA 1-POWER DYNAMOS 2
Power Dynamos came from behind to beat hosts City of Lusaka 2-1 at Woodlands Stadium in a match the visitors outplayed the homeside.
However, Power were made to fight hard for the win in what was debatably a contentious match.
City took the lead in the 18th minute after Lawrence Lubinda headed in the opening goal as the hosts looked like heaping more misery on poor Power and their under-fire coach Fordson Kabole on the back of their failure in the Barclays Cup on Sunday.
However, Power came back fired-up pinning City down with a display of swift and passing football whose quality was not matched by the finishing.
Redemption came in the 70th minute when City’s Lameck Tembo handled the ball in the box only for referee Joseph Jere to show him red.
Lameck Mwale stepped-up to convert the resultant penalty that was heavily disputed by City players, fans and coach Fewdays Musonda who was sent to the stands in the 80th minute for repeatedly questioning Jere’s decisions.
Power punished moaning City with the winner on 88 minutes when Luka Lungu rifled in the ball from inside the box.
File:Pupils dancing after a tree planting exercise
Southern Province Education Officer,Festus Mungo has warned teachers indulging in relationships with pupils to desist or face disciplinary action.
He said the vice has usually affected the performance of pupils especially girls in school.
Mr.Mungo advised teachers to avoid building relationships with their students as it would eventually ruin the entire educational process.
“Please Please avoid getting into relationships with pupils.Normally there is that temptation especially with newly deployed teachers so please the Minstry will not take lightly any scandal of this nature involving a teacher and a pupil,”he said.
The Provincial Education Officer said this during the 3rd Teachers Diploma Graduation Ceremony at David Livingstone College of Education(DALICE)students last week.
Mr.Mungo said there have been rampant reports from basic and secondary schools pertaining flirting between teachers and pupils.
He said teachers who will be found wanting will have their practicing licences revoked.
He also advised pupils not to consent to proposals from teachers.
And speaking at the same function,University of Zambia(UNZA)Vice-Chancellor,Felix Simukonga advised the graduates to be responsible and concentrate on building their careers.
He said teaching is dynamic career that demands further education every now and then.
DALICE Principal,Euphermia Zulu this years pass rate stands at 63.9 per cent from the prevous 68 per cent.
Ms. Mbumwae Suba-Smith talking to Rabson Lungu of Texas after winning the Community Leadership Award (picture by Professor Mwizenge Tembo)
The Mwape Peer Awards conferred seven winners with awards of excellence at its inaugural event held at the Holiday Inn Capitol Hotel in Washington, DC, USA on the evening of October 23, 2010. The seven Zambian recipients came from North America and Africa. Dr. Evans Phiri was the Master of Ceremony at the event.
The winners were selected by the Selection Committee of Peers (experts) in their respective fields from a number of nominees in various categories. The following are the winners for the 2010 Mwape Peer Awards:
1. Community Leadership Award: Ms. Mbumwae Suba-Smith of New York is the founder of the Subayo Foundation, which is dedicated to empowerment of women and children in Africa, focusing on projects in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin and Zambia. She continues to work with orphans in Zambia and helping Zambian women form cooperatives and health clinics. Her Foundation also has sponsored two students in Zambia, one at a Trades College in Livingstone and the other, at the University of Zambia—both graduated in 2010. In spite of her full time childcare business and her Foundation work, Ms. Suba-Smith works tirelessly to promote her Zambian culture. As a volunteer, every year during Black History Month, she leads Zambian music/dance workshops in NYC public schools, and in April of 2010, taught two Zambian dance workshops at Brooklyn Academy of Music in NYC.
2. Law Award: Professor Kenneth Kaoma Mwenda, PhD, LLD of Washington DC is a Senior Counsel, Legal Vice-President at the World Bank in Washington DC USA. A Rhodes Scholar, Prof. Kenneth K. Mwenda, also holds concurrently the position of Extraordinary Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Prior to joining the World Bank, Prof. Mwenda served as an academic at one of the top eight (8) British universities, the University of Warwick. His World Bank and pre-World Bank experience spans across many countries around the world. He is the author of 23 scholarly books in the fields of international and comparative corporate law and financial services regulation, including international economic law and higher education pertaining to legal studies. His scholarly publications are widely cited. And his journal articles appear in many leading academic journals worldwide. Prof. Mwenda sits on the Editorial Boards of several academic and professional journals, including the Journal of International Banking Regulation (UK) and the African Finance Journal (South Africa). And he has earned several biographical listings
3. Leadership Award: Mr. Chisanga Puta-Chekwe of Ontario, Canada is a Deputy Minister in Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Women Issues in Canada. Being appointed a Deputy Minister is a big achievement. Chisanga is not only the first Zambian to hold that position he is simply the first African in that position. The job of Deputy Minister is equivalent to Permanent Secretary in the British System. This is a great achievement, because it means that he has been judged as a person with professional competency in the Canadian civil service. For this he received the Leadership award.
ames and Ruth Mwape after dancing the night out (picture by Professor Mwizenge Tembo)
4. Medicine Award: Dr. Moono Ernest Munsanje of Botswana is a physician who works for Center for Disease Control in Gaborone in Botswana. He prescribes use of anti-retro viral drugs.?He treats HIV/AIDS patients and offers counseling services. HIV and AIDS has robbed Africa of its young people. Dr. Munsanje received the award for the work he continues to do to fight further spread of the disease by counseling patients, encouraging use of condoms, and use of anti-retrovirals. People with HIV are now living longer productive lives.
5. Music Award: Chisanga G. Katongo, aka CRI$I$ of Zambia is an innovative musician who has just been elected as ‘Publicity Secretary’ to Zambia Association of Musicians. He is also running his own record company which he is using to promote fellow musicians. He has also helped in the campaign against Human Trafficking by recording a song that speaks against this new form of slavery. He released the first Hip-Hop album in Zambia.
6. Professional Award: Musonda Lemba, PhD of Zambia. Dr. Lemba was awarded the Professional Award not only because he was the first to qualify as a Demographer but more importantly he teaches 400 plus students per year on average. Teaching research to all School of Humanities and Social Sciences students for more than 20 years. Everyone who has graduated with a humanities and social sciences degree obtained in the last twenty years has been taught by Dr. Lemba. Some of his former students are Professors worldwide.
7. Rising Star Award: Mrs. Lelemba Phiri of South Africa is the Regional Fixed Assets Manager for a large international oil company. She is also a financial educator, social entrepreneur, keynote speaker and writer. She is the co-founder of the Sandras and Lelemba Institute (SLI) that is dedicated to research, education and supporting individuals, organizations and communities in their pursuit of growth.
“The Mwape Peer Awards will continue to go from strength to strength as symbols of excellence and inspiring those who are raising standards to ensure Zambians around the world are recognized for their contributions to our communities”, said Ruth Mwape, awards co-founder.
Prof. Kenneth Mwenda in his acceptance speech, said, “It’s important for us Africans to know that the only time people will respect you, is when we can respect ourselves. For me this award, the Mwape Peer Award, I will cherish it because it’s not a Political Award but a people’s award, it comes from the community, from the people’s hearts.”
Ms. Suba-Smith gave a superb performance of traditional Lozi dances while Prof. Mwizenge Tembo of Bridgewater College in Virginia did the drumming and told a Tumbuka folk tale from his village in Lundazi. James and Ruth Mwape stayed in the background with Dr. Evans Phiri in charge of most of the program. Music entertainment was provided by Connecticut based Edward Mwelwa aka DJ Eddy Eddy of Yeka Yeka Entertainments.Dr. Kozhi Sydney Makai of Houston, Texas gave out his best-selling book, “BORN Beating the Odds” to all attendees.
The awards ceremony were originally slated to be held at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC but were moved to Holiday Inn Capitol Hotel. The second annual “Mwape Awards Ceremony” will be held August 2011 either in New York City, Dallas, Texas or London, UK. The Awards will start accepting nominations in January 2011, please watch out for specific dates and information on Mwape.com.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday said the people of Zambia should now judge who is more popular in the pact between UPND and PF following the victory in Chilanga Constituency.
Mr Hichilema was responding to sentiments by the PF leadership that UPND holds a smaller number of seats in Parliament compared with PF and should accept the junior position of vice-presidency in the pact.
Mr Hichilema said while some leaders in the pact had stated that UPND was smaller, the people of Zambia had spoken through the vote in Chilanga Constituency parliamentary by-election.
“Our position as UPND is that the people of Zambia should judge whether we are small or not like the people have Chilanga Constituency have done. We will not engage in a popularity contest with our colleagues in PF,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said UPND would operate on the understanding that partnership was based on equal weight of trust and mutual respect as opposed to antagonism based on power struggle.
The PF, through its vice-president Guy Scott claimed in an analysis recently that UPND should hold a small stake in the pact formed last year because it lacked numbers in Parliament in comparison with PF.
Mr Hichilema said the PF put up a good performance in Mpulungu and was confident that the seat would go to the pact next year.
He said the pact should fight hard to ensure that it wion the presidency next year so that it could rule Zambia instead of competing for superior positions in the pact.
Mr Hichilema said UPND worked hard to ensure that its candidate Cosmas Moono emerged victorious by holding door-to-door campaigns before it started public rallies.
Asked why his party shunned the Newsmakers Forum which is organised by their allies, the Press Freedom Committee of the Post newspapers, Mr Hichilema said they resolved never to participate in public discussion programmes where the MMD was featuring to avoid violence.
The vanquished and the victors from Sundays’ Barclays Cup semifinals return to league action on a super Wednesday in the Faz Super Division.
Barclays Cup finalists Zesco United and Zanaco plus 2009 winners Power Dynamos who were eliminated from this year’s competition all feature in respective matches at home and away in week 28 games.
Main focus will be on defending Super Division champions Zanaco who begin a nine-match catch-up run in their bid to try and retain their league title when they host Konkola Blades at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The backlog has found Zanaco fourth from bottom on the table on 28 points from 19 matches played.
Victory for Zanaco on Wednesday will not only help lift them away from the relegation zone but also seal the fate of bottom placed National Assembly who will go down to Division One without kicking a ball.
The Parliamentarians currently on 21 points from 27 games and can only amass 30 points in their remaining three matches.
Zanaco will be missing their two main strikers Winston Kalengo and Vanecious Mapande who both left on Tuesday for Egypt to attend trials at Arab Contractors in cairo.
Meanwhile, Blades arrive in Lusaka to face Zanaco hoping to complete back-to-back wins over The Bankers after beating them 2-1 in their Week 13 game last June in Chililabombwe.
And in the other matches, leaders Zesco visit resurgent Roan United at Kafubu Stadium while Power are in Lusaka to play City of Lusaka at Woodlands Stadium.
The ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) national chairperson, Michael Mabenge has described the ruling MMD’s loss in the Chilanga parliamentary by-election as shocking.
And Mr. Mabenga said there is need to investigate the cause of the party’s loss in the Chilanga by-election.
Mr. Mabenga who is also Lands Deputy Minister said that there is need to search deeply into what really brought about the party’s loss in the just ended elections.
He said there is a lot of work that was invested in preparing for the MMD’s candidate, Keith Mukata and the loss is surprising.
The Deputy Minister said that everything needed, was put in place for the MMD to secure back its seat and the loss is therefore something that should be taken with a lot of seriousness.
Mr. Mabenga also indicated that it is almost unacceptable and difficult to understand how the MMD could have just lost the seat, considering all the preparations that were made ahead of the Chilanga by-elections.
He also said that the MMD’s recorded win in the just ended by-elections shows that President Banda is not a liar contrary to some of the remarks that his critics have been making.
[ QFM ]
Zain has announced plans to outsource call centre and back office services.
Bharti Airtel which owns and operates the Zain brand in 16 AFRICAN countries says it will soon conclude the deal with IBM Tech Mahindra and Spanco which will run the customer services for Bharti Airtel.
A statement issued by the firm says the deal will allow its 40 million mobile customers to enjoy world class customer services.
The statements says IBM Tech Mahindra and Spanco will introduce quality best practices based on their experiences of working with international organisations in the telecommunications, banking, finance, insurance and retail sectors.
The firm says this will also lead to the development of the nascent African Business Process Outsourcing sector which promises to deliver economic growth to many countries across the continent.
Vice- President George Kunda has said Zambia appreciates the investments made by Huawei technologies company in Zambia.
Mr Kunda said the establishment of the the Chinese company in 2001 has not only created job opportunities but also brought latest technology which has enriched the lives of many Zambians.
speaking today after a conducted tour of Huawei technology’s exhibition hall and other sections of the company, Mr Kunda said he was impressed with the high quality telecom products offered to zambia and other countries.
He said the the country was looking forward to more investment from the company because it has become a key partner in the economic development of the zambia.
Mr Kunda also expressed happiness with Huawei technology’s ambitious capacity building programmes, especially for the young members of staff to improve their technical competence.
” The young ones hold the future of any country. We appreciate the training given to members of staff, including those in zambia,” he said.
Huawei is a leading global provider of commercial telecom and is currently serving 45 of the world’s 50 telecom operators.
As of December 2009, the company employed over 95,000 employs, 27,000 of whom are based outside China.
Huawei has over 36 local subcontractors in zambia and created over 2000 jobs directly or indirectly.
SOME people in Kawambwa District have urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to consider increasing the number of days for the issuance of Green National Registration Cards (NRCs).
Speaking to the ZANIS publicity team in Sub-Chief Kabanda’s area at the weekend, some people complained that they did not obtain NRCs during the first round of the mobile issuance of the cards.
One of the complainants identified as Nelson Mumba said, the extra two days given for the issuance NRCs in the area were not enough because many people were not captured during the first 90 days.
Mr. Mumba of Kafwimba Village appealed to the ECZ to consider increasing the number of days to four or more, if many people were to be issued with NRCs and register as voters.
And another Villager, Crusade Chama of Tea Estate also appealed to the ECZ to increase the number of days to at least one week.
Mr. Chama said the Tea Estate area was densely populated, adding that many youths did not obtain NRCs in the initial exercise.
He proposed the continuation of the mobile issuance of NRCs up to mid next year, in order for many people to register as voters.
And Idah Kaunda of Kabonde Village in Sub-Chief Kabanda’s area said the NRCs that were issued to people in the area were not good as they had very small faces that took time to identify.
Mrs. Kaunda said the one who was taking photographs did not do a good job as the images were too small for easy identification.
And Acting District Registrar, Lazarous Phiri said the number of days at each centre will depend on the turnout of the people in a particular area.
President Rupiah Banda is elated that the MMD has retained the Mpulungu Parliamentary seat and it has given his party a gate way to the Northern Province.
Mr Banda, however said its sad that the MMD has lost the Chilanga Parliamentary by-election to the UPND.
Mr Banda has congratulated the UPND for scooping the seat.
Meanwhile, the President said he does not regret the expulsion of former Chilanga MP Ng’andu Magande from the MMD, as the party still has many MPs.
Mr Banda was speaking to journalists at Lusaka’s City Airport shortly before he left for Eastern Province.
The President has flown to Chipata to commission newly constructed houses for police officers.
And President Banda said lack of accommodation is a cross-cutting problem.
The President pledged government’s commitment to address the shortage of housing in the country.
He said he is happy that efforts to end the accommodation crisis among police officers are bearing fruits.
Mr Banda is accompanied by first Lady Thandiwe, Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu and other senior government officials.
[ ZNBC ]
The Ruling MMD has retained the Mpulungu parliamentary seat in yesterday’s tightly contested by-elections.
Returning officer Charles Nyirongo declared the MMD candidate Given Mung’omba as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Mpulungu at about 11:20 hours after polling 5,003 votes.
PF’s Freedom Sikazwe came second with 4,419 votes and in a distant third place was National Restoration Party’s Alex Mwazya who polled 331 votes.
UNIP’s Germanico Simusokwe came fourth with 112 votes while Alliance for Democracy and Development candidate Chilowela Sinyangwe came last with a paltry 62 votes.
The Mpulungu seat fell vacant following the death of former Member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo.
And SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma has described the elections as free and fair despite most voters not knowing how to vote.
He told QFM from Mpulungu that the outcome of the elections reflects the will of the people of Mpulungu.
Mr Chibuluma has since called for increased voter education.
Mr Chibuluma says as a result of some people not knowing how to vote, electoral officers were made to assist people who couldn’t read by showing them were to mark.
He has since called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to engage various stakeholders in ensuring that there is adequate voter registration ahead of the 2011 elections.
Mr Chibuluma has further commended the Patriotic Front for conducting themselves in peaceful manner even after knowing that there candidate was losing.
And the ruling MMD has scooped the Lwingishi Ward local government by-election in Mansa District.
MMD candidate Kaole Kasuba polled 1,170 votes, beating his two rivals the PF candidate Maggie Makasa who got 864 votes and UNIP candidate Josephine Kunda who had 42 votes.
The returning officer Christopher Mumba declared Kasuba as the duly elected winner around 23.30 last night, following the by-election held yesterday.
Mr. Mumba described the polls as free and fair as there were no complaints brought to his office by any political party so far.
He told ZANIS that the turn out in the Lwingishi by-election was impressive, as people were queuing to vote as early as 05.00 hours at most of the polling stations.
He said over 2000 voters in Lwingishi turned out, compared to 700 who turned up in Myulu Ward.
Mr. Mumba said it was the hope of all the stakeholders that the people in the Lwingishi and the other wards in Mansa would turnout in large numbers to exercise their right to vote in the 2011 general elections.
The Lwingishi Ward local government seat fell vacant after MMD Councillor David Kambikiya resigned on personal grounds.
It becomes the third local government seat that the MMD has won in a roll this year through by-elections.
Mid this year, the MMD emerged winner in Myulu Ward in Mansa District and Lufubu Ward of Kawambwa District, where similar elections were conducted.
MMD cadres brandish the party symbol in Chilanga constituency
Three MMD polling agents and a headman of Masongoti village in Chilanga were yesterday beaten by suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres at Chowa polling station during voting in the Chilanga parliamentary by-elections.
Headman Geoffrey Sikakumbi, who sustained a swollen leg and was unable to walk, narrated in an interview at Chilanga police station yesterday that some suspected UPND cadres seized him and started harassing him after he had cast his vote.
Mr Sikakumbi, 52, who is MMD chairman in the area, said the suspected cadres abducted him around 08:00 hours near Fresh Farm and questioned him on who allegedly paid him to vote.
He said he was on his way to visit his wife who is in hospital when the incident happened.
Mr Sikakumbi said because he did not give them the answers they wanted, he was beaten and later abandoned near Chilanga police station.
“They abducted me in a Pajero and wanted me to tell them who paid me to vote but when I gave them answers which according to them were unsatisfactory, they started beating me and later abandoned me near Chilanga police station,” Mr Sikakumbi said.
MMD information and publicity secretary Isaac Mulenga said in an interview that three polling agents and an MMD cadre were beaten by suspected UPND cadres at Chowa polling station.
Mr Mulenga named the three polling agents as Agness Phiri, Benson Banda and Cornelius Chanda.
He named the MMD cadre as Jarous Shawa.
Mr Mulenga said Mr Banda and Mr Chanda were replaced with George Mambwe and Nephat Mwanza.
He described the situation as unfortunate, especially that such incidents were recorded on polling day.
Meanwhile, voting in the Chilanga by-election started on a steady pace despite the isolated instances of violence.
[pullquote]“They abducted me in a Pajero and wanted me to tell them who paid me to vote but when I gave them answers which according to them were unsatisfactory, they started beating me and later abandoned me near Chilanga police station,” Mr Sikakumbi said.[/pullquote]
A check at some polling stations found that hundreds of people had cast their vote.
At Munda Wanga polling station, 320 out of the registered 1,900 had cast their vote by 10:00 hours while at Masamba Basic School 200 out of the 1,200 registered voters had cast their vote.
At Mount Makulu Basic School, one of the three streams had registered 103 out of 420 registered voters at 12:00 hours while at Kalundu Basic School over 100 people had registered at one of the four streams around 09:00 hours.
Chilanga has 20 polling stations with 26,618 registered voters.
In Chilanga, four candidates were contesting the seat and the UPND has scooped the seat.
Those were Keith Mukata of the MMD, Cosmas Moono of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Henry Silumesi for UNIP and Valerie Bwalya for NAREP.
In Mpulungu, police have arrested two people for alleged double voter registration and forging a polling agent’s affidavit.
Northern Province police commanding officer Mukuka Chewe confirmed the arrest of Robert Sikazwe and George Mazimba in Mpulungu yesterday.
“Mr Sikazwe had papers sworn in the name of George Mazimba and yet he wanted to come as a polling agent. He used an affidavit as an agent when he was not sworn in at Munsende polling station,” Mr Chewe said.
On Mr Mazimba, Mr Chewe said the suspect allegedly registered as a voter at Munsende polling station and also attempted to vote at Muzabwela polling station when he was confronted by some party cadres.
He said police will look at the electoral code of conduct and slap the two suspects with the appropriate charges.
“By tomorrow (today) they should be charged and appear in court,” Mr Chewe said.
He was, however, happy with the peaceful conduct of the people of Mpulungu during the campaigns and described it as mature.
Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) executive director Bonnie Tembo also confirmed taking the two suspects to the police.
Meanwhile, polling stations in the outskirts of Mpulungu township yesterday morning recorded a low voter turnout as compared to those in the township.
The polling station at Makola Basic School in Chibulula ward opened on time at 06:00 hours but there was no voter present.
At Mankonga polling station, only one person had voted by 06:09 hours
At township polling stations, however, there were long queues of voters at Muzabwela, Mpulungu Basic School and Niamukulolo Basic School.
Election monitors described as disappointing the low turnout of voters in the Mpulungu parliamentary by-election.
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) information officer Obby Chibuluma said in an interview in Mpulungu yesterday that the reasons given by most people is that they are farmers and that they had gone to cultivate their fields.
Mr Chibuluma hoped, however, that the turnout would improve as the day progressed.
He was also concerned that a number of voters, especially in the rural areas, did not have information on the candidates who are contesting the seat and had to rely on the presiding officers.
He called for more voter education in Mpulungu.
Mr Chibuluma also said many people were discouraged from voting because the polling stations are far from their homes.
And Mr Tembo was happy with the voter turnout in Mpulungu township but that the number of voters who cast their votes in the outlying areas was low because many of them are farmers and were busy cultivating their fields.
