The Electoral Commission of Zambia has dismissed reports that it issued new voter’s cards during the Kasama and Chitambo parliamentary by-elections.

In a press statement made available to ZANIS by ECZ spokesperson Cris Akufuna said the alleged voters cards referred to are replacement cards that were printed before the 2008 presidential by-elections.

Mr Akufuna said that the owners of the cards in question did not however collect their cards on the polling day adding that the cards are still in the custody of the district Electoral officers at the district council offices.

He said that whenever there are by-elections in any constituency, arrangement are made for the collection of these cards as long as the owners identify themselves and produce their national registration cards and mention the polling station at which they registered and in the 2006

He has since confirmed that the replacement cards are printed while the original voter’s cards are hand written.

Mr Akufuna added that the issuance of the uncollected replacement cards will continue in the forthcoming Solwezi Central by-elections slated for next month.
ZANIS

The MMD in Kasama Central Constituency has accused its Provincial Youth Chairperson, Danny Chisanga, of being used by forces opposed to President Rupiah Banda’s administration.

MMD Kasama Central Constituency Chairperson, Nathan Ilunga, said this in reacting to Mr Chisanga’s calls for the resignation of Provincial MMD Chairperson, Griver Sikasote, whom he blamed for the loss of the Kasama Central Parliamentary seat.

In a press statement availed to ZANIS in Kasama today, Mr Ilunga charged that the party was aware of Mr Chisanga’s dealings.

Squabbles erupt in MMD camp in Kasama

Mr Ilunga said Mr Chisanga was nearly lynched by irate party officials during their last extra-ordinary provincial conference when he was heard chanting the name of one of the presidential aspirants.

Mr Ilunga has since advised Mr Chisanga to consider resigning from the party instead of calling for the resignation of Provincial Chairperson, Mr Sikasote, as he was still popular.

He said Mr Sikasote, as Provincial Chairperson, has sacrificed a lot to organise the party in the province even in the absence of party funding.

He accused Mr Chisanga of having lamentably failed the youths in the province because of his weakness which was evidenced during the 2006 general elections when he contested the Mpika Central seat and lost.

Mr Ilunga charged that Mr Chisanga has also failed to account for the money he collected on behalf of the youths during the 2007 card-renewal exercise held at Kasama Boys’ High School.

He added that Mr Chisanga, as Provincial Youth Chairperson, should be ashamed that MMD party structures were non-existent in Mpika where he lives.

The MMD Provincial Youth Chairperson was recently quoted as demanding the immediate resignation of Mr Sikasote.

ZANIS

Government says negotiations between government and Total International for the possible takeover Indeni Refinery are still on going.

Energy and water Development Minister Kenneth Konga told parliament this morning that it is true that government will take over ownership of the refinery to improve the supply of fuel in the country.

Mr. Konga dispelled claims that the shortage of petrol which is currently being experienced in the country was due to Total International which is disposing off its shares to government.

He explained that the current fuel crisis has nothing to do with the pulling out of the Total International from Indeni adding that the situation is as a result of the refinery catalysts and other attendant components.

He told parliament that once government and Total International conclude the negations government will make an appropriate announcement to the public on the way forward.

The minister said the Refinery will continue operating the way it has always operated.

He also assured that government will ensure that it finds a creditable partner and ensure that jobs for workers at the oil refinery are protected.

And responding to a question from Luwena Member of parliament Charles Milipi who wanted to know the value of Indeni Refinery and if government had already acquired the 50 percent shares from Total International for total ownership, Mr. Konga told the house that the value of Indeni Refinery has not yet been established since negations were still on going between the government and Total International.

ZANIS

A Freedom fighter has advised Zambians to celebrate the country’s 45 years of Independence in peace and harmony.

Dr. Peter Matoka says this is the best way to remember the freedom fighters that lost their lives during the liberation struggle.

Dr. Matoka says Zambia is a Christian nation and therefore citizens must cherish the peace that the country has enjoyed for the past 45 years.

He stated that the colonial rule in Zambia was a period of division and rule where different chiefdoms were played off each other by the colonial government.

Dr. Matoka was speaking when he officiated at Lake Road PTA School to mark 45 years of Independence whose theme is “Celebrating 45 years of Independence in the spirit of reconciliation and good neighborliness”.

Dr. Matoka said it is important for young ones to know what the words in the National Anthem mean because the words contain wisdom.

He disclosed that much of this country’s population was mobilized to mine the minerals with the sole purpose of enriching the colonial power when copper was discovered in the mid 1920s.

Dr. Matoka explained that the state of affairs gave rise to growing racial tension during the colonial era.

Zambia will tomorrow commemorate her 45 years of independence.

[ZANIS]

The Centre for Elections and Governance (CEG) has urged Former Defence and Finance Ministers George Mpombo and Ng’andu Magande not to force the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to go for a convention.

CEG Trustee Gershom Musonda says the two former Ministers should not force the ruling party to go for a convention as the party has stated before that it has no money to hold a convention.

Mr. Musonda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today Mr. Mpombo and Mr. Magande should know and understand that forcing a convention could result in the ruling party using public resources.

The CEG Trustee said the MMD needs to be given time adding that not going for a convention now does not mean that the MMD will not go for a convention.

Meanwhile, Mr. Musonda has called upon the MMD to maintain Republican President Rupiah Banda as it candidate in the 2011 general elections.

He said MMD would make a mistake if it adopts another candidate rather than the incumbent President.

Mr. Musonda has since challenged the MMD to intensify its campaigns especially in rural areas.

Former Defence and Finance Ministers George Mpombo and Ng’andu Magande have been calling the MMD to consider going for a convention to enable the party choose a presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections.

[ZANIS]