The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has advised the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to handle ballot papers for the forthcoming presidential by-election with maximum caution.

ZCTU Acting Secretary General Ian Mkandawire said in a statement to ZANIS in Kitwe today that the issue of ballot papers is sensitive and if not properly handled, could be a recipe for political instability in the country.

Mr Mkandawire said ZCTU is concerned at the lapses being reported in the media over the manner ECZ is handling the ballot papers.

He urged the commission to tighten security measures against potential areas of conflict such as election malpractices before the polls on October 30.

Mr Mkandawire said ECZ should inspire confidence in political parties and the nation by sealing loopholes in the preparation of the presidential by-election.

He said the nation do not want to see a situation where a winning presidential candidate is being dragged to court over allegations of malpractices once he is declared winner as such has a potential to divert the head of state from real developmental issues.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to check the reported excesses in the use of government resources during campaigns by the ruling party.

ZCTU Acting Secretary General Ian Mkandawire said his congress is saddened to see ambulances which are supposed to be providing a service to patients, being diverted to political campaign rallies.

“The ECZ should move in and provide guidance to all political parties on the code of conduct so that essential services, especially those that are meant to save lives are not disturbed by political activities,” he said.

ENDS/PK/PK/ZANIS

An incident during the verification exercise on Wednesday has sparked a row between the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the political parties.

Reports say a driver from Kalabo district council who is one of the officials performing supporting duties during the verification exercise allegedly attempted to illegally transport ballot papers from the warehouse.

Opposition parties have accused the ECZ of engaging in practices aimed to rig the forthcoming election.

On Thursday, the Patriotic Front stated that it no longer has confidence that the ECZ can conduct a free and fair presidential election.

Spokesperson, Given Lubinda, challenged the ECZ to submit a comprehensive report on the incident to the stakeholders for them to establish the truth.

Representatives of presidential candidates met on Thursday to address the matter but adjourned the meeting to a later date.

They agreed that the next meeting should be attended by senior officials of the ECZ, who must include the chairperson, Judge Florence Mumba, to ensure the matter is addressed conclusively.

However, the ECZ has appealed to political stakeholders not to be sensational over the reported incident during the verification exercise.

ECZ Deputy Director, Priscilla Isaacs, says the driver in question erroneously picked the ballot papers after he was told to load a printer and a fax in the vehicle he was driving.

ZNBC

Finance and National Planning Minister Ngandu Magande has assured that the current financial crisis sweeping global markets will not have a significant effect on Zambia’s economy.

And the Bank of Zambia has so far recorded and accumulated an initial US$1.3 billion in reserves.

This development indicates that Zambia ‘s economy will be able to withstand external pressures on the global financial instability in relation to her financial markets.

Mr Magande said Zambia’s current foreign policy stance was to promote its economy to the outside world by encouraging inward investments, trade and other economic opportunities from the international community.

He said it is therefore imperative that diplomatic staff in missions abroad postively promotes and portrays Zambia’s international image.

The Finance Minister made the assurance in London today (Thursday) when he briefed members of the diplomatic staff at the Zambian Embassy in Britain.

This is contained in a press statement signed for High Commissioner by Second Secretary for Press Rejoice Lukumba and released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He stressed that the exchange rate has fairly been with minor fluctuation on account of changes in the price of oil adding that these concerns surrounding the commodity (oil) are beyond government’s control.

On the home front, Mr. Magande said Government has put in place measures to contain food security by subsidising fertiliser inputs to support the small scale farmers.

Mr. Magande added that despite the demise of President Levy Mwanawasa, the current policies in place are entrenched and designated to be sustainable in long term.

“In the wake of current global crisis, it is imperative diplomatic staff in missions abroad promotes and portrays Zambia’s image internationally and positively by encouraging inward investments, trade and other economic opportunities from the international community.

”I challenge those in foreign missions to explain Government policy so that the international community knows what we as a country are doing,” said Mr. Magande.

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/CLM

The Patriotic Front has denied allegations that it has produced Electoral Commission of Zambia billboards carrying the party’s symbol.

PF spokesperson, GIVEN LUBINDA, says his party has never produced any such billboards.

Mr. LUBINDA says the party can not spend money producing Electoral Commission of Zambia billboards instead of making its own election materials.

He has called on the ECZ to investigate the matter and ensure that the culprits are reported to the police.

On Wednesday, the MMD complained to the Electoral Commission of Zambia over an ECZ election poster allegedly bearing a Patriotic Front symbol.

The MMD said the election poster should not be allowed because it displays the PF symbol.

MMD spokesperson, BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, said he had seen a lot of such posters in the North-Western Province where he was recently.

Mr. TETAMASHIMBA, is also the election agent for MMD presidential candidate, Rupiah Banda.

[ZNBC]

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has called on Zambians to scrutinize the manifesto’s of the various political parties fielding candidates in the October 30 presidential poll.

MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda’s Campaign Manager Mike Mulongoti says party manifesto’s should be the basis for supporting any given presidential aspirant.

Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services minister, told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that  inferior and vague manifesto’s point to the quality of leadership of the respective political party leaders.

He urged the electorate to vote for Mr. Banda in the October 30 presidential election because his candidature is backed by a sound manifesto.

Mr. Mulongoti said MMD has a vision of how to propel national development for the benefit of the citizenry.

He said Mr. Banda is the best person to carry on the policies of government because he worked closely with the late President Levy Mwanawasa in efforts aimed at moving the nation forward.

Mr. Mulongoti said voting for the opposition would be a big mistake because such a move would disrupt developmental programmes currently underway.

He said it was evident that the ruling MMD’s economic policies were bearing fruit.

Zambia goes to the polls on October 30 and the presidential hopefuls include Rupiah Banda of the ruling MMD, Patriotic Front’s Michael Sata, Hakainde Hichilema  of the United Party for National Development and Godfrey Miyanda of the Heritage Party.