A combined team of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Zambia Police Service, Examinations Council of Zambia today went on a fact finding mission to establish the truth over allegations by the Anti- Rigging Zambia limited that they had impounded a truck in Kafue laden with ballot papers.

Speaking to Journalists at his office before the exercise, ECZ Director Daniel Kalale said that he had invited the Anti- Rigging Zambia to attend the press briefing to clarify this issue at hand to the nation.

But the Anti Rigging Zambia did not attend the meeting and instead directed the ECZ to go to Kafue police post to verify the matter for themselves.

The team went to Kafue Police Post and Zambia National Service (ZNS)in the same district to verify the matter where officers who were spoken to expressed ignorance over the matter.

At the Police post when asked whether such an incident had occurred, Chief Station Officer Moses Malumbe expressed ignorance over the matter.

At ZNS Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Kabwe equally said he had no idea about the matter and that it was shocking news.

“I don’t know anything, if you want you can go round and check for yourselves,” said Lt Colonel Kabwe.

When asked what ECZ would do having found no evidence regarding the issue, Mr. Kalale said he would consult the Attorney General on the action to take further.

Mr. Kalale warned people from issuing sensitive stories that were unfounded as these could breach the country’s peace.

Press reports indicate that Anti-Rigging Zambia claimed to have intercepted an Examination Council of Zambia truck in Kafue carrying both examination and ballot papers to their designated districts.

ZANIS/ENDS/NS/CLM

Acting President Rupiah Banda has announced that the price of fuel will further be reduced.

And Mr. Banda has maintained that the reduction in crude oil and fertiliser prices is not politicking but a service to benefit the Zambian people.

Speaking at a rally at Chimusanya Basic School in Chongwe today, Mr. Banda said the price of oil on the world market had reduced from US$180 to less than a US$100 per barrel hence the need for the ruling Government to be in tandem with such a trend.

He disclosed that Government has already purchased oil from the Middle east whose pump price would be reduced further once the stock arrives in the country.

The Acting President noted that fuel was an engine to national development adding that improving the lives of the Zambian people was on the MMD agenda.

Recently, the acting President announced a reduction in fuel prices by K2 000 and promised that the country should expect price slashes in essential commodities.

And at a Kasama rally a few days ago, Mr Banda announced a cut in the fertiliser for farmers under the Fertiliser Support Programme from K200,000 to K50, 000 for a 50 kilogramme bag.

He also said Government had decided to increase the number of beneficiaries from 120,000 to 200,000 representing an increase of 15 percent from 60 to 75 percent on fertiliser subsidies.

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/CLM

Acting President Rupiah Banda has warned Zambians against voting for the opposition as this would cost the country colossal sums of money.

Mr Banda also said if Zambians voted for the opposition in the October 30 presidential election, the country risked losing donor support.

Speaking at a rally at Chongwe’s Chimusanya Basic School today, the Acting President said voting for the opposition will cost Zambia K500 billion as the new president from this wing would automatically dissolve Parliament.

Mr Banda said the dissolution of Parlaiment if an opposition Government is voted into power would mean going for another general election that would cost the country K500 billion.

The Acting President said it is therefore imperative to vote for the ruling MMD to avoid a scenario where the country would be turned into a laughing stock by the global community.

He urged the Zambian electorate to vote for him because the late President Levy Mwanawasa entrusted him with running the affairs of the nation.

The Acting President requested the Zambian people to given him the mandate to rule the nation under the MMD for the remaining three years in order for the legacy of the late Dr Mwanawasa to continue.

‘’Give the mandate for the next three years, as you are aware l have been running the nation in my capacity as vice president and in certain instances l have acted as President each time the late Head of State was out of the country’’, said Mr Banda.

He challenged the Zambian people to vote for him as he already had experience in governing the country unlike opposition leaders who were novices.

Mr Banda reiterated that voting for the opposition leaders would plunge the nation into chaos as their dealings were questionable.

At the same rally, Chongwe MMD District Chairman Edward Mwaangwa assured Mr Banda of massive support on October 30.

Mr Mwaangwa said Rufunsa Constituency resolved to rally behind the Acting President just as they supported the late president.

He said Mr Banda should be supported as there was need for continuity.

Earlier, Area Member of Parliament Kenneth Chipungu attributed the loss of the Kanchibiya seat to the opposition PF due to the demise of the Dr Mwanawasa saying the MMD was still mourning their instrumental leader.

Mr Chipungu however told the rally that this time the opposition had no chance to win the October 30 presidential polls.

And Lusaka Province Minister Lameck Mangani reminded the Zambian people not to disown Mr Banda as the opposition leaders were only bent on insults.

Mr Mangani said MMD believed in mature politics as opposed to petty issues adding that Government was focused on service delivery.

Those present at the rally were Headmen Sheleng’I, Mwanduwa, Malisawa, Ndauzeni, Lutanti and Chimusanya of Chongwe district.

ZANIS/ENDS/ KC/CLM

The Patriotic Front PF, has challenged the ruling Movement for Multi Party (MMD)to disclose the source of the alleged K6 billion spent on campaign chitenge material .

PF spokesperson Given Lubinda alleged that his party had information that the MMD was using money from the national treasury for its campaign chitenge material bearing the face of Acting President Mr Rupiah Banda.
chitengi which will be distributed to across the country.

Mr Lubinda who was speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, claimed that the MMD were about to distribute the campaign material and challenged the party to disclose its source of the money.

The PF has urged the ruling MMD to stop distributing the chitengi materials and called on the acting president to ensure that the October 30 elections were free and fair.

At the same press briefing, the Unemployment Association of Zambia president Mpundu Mwanawela pledged to back Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata.

Mr Mwanawela said his association had made such a decision because they believed PF would address the poverty levels and the high unemployment in the country.

But when contacted for a comment on the matter, Chief Government Spokesperson Mike Mulongoti simply said the allegations were unfounded and described the PF as immoral and evil.

Mr Mulongoti who is also Campaign Manager for Acting President Rupiah Banda urged the PF to observe dignity in their campaigns and remain mute if they had no real issues to talk about.

ZANIS/ENDS/AH/CLM

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]