The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has explained that it would not be unconstitutional for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and opposition political parties to agree to support one candidate for presidency without holding presidential elections.

LAZ president, Elijah Banda however said it was currently necessary for the country to hold the presidential by- elections because some opposition political parties have already indicated willingness to contest.

The parties that have shown interest to contest the elections are Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Mr. Banda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that it would not be unlawful if on the day of filing in presidential nominations, the ruling MMD and other opposition parties nominate one candidate.

“It would not be unconstitutional or illegal if all the political parties choose one person because it means on the day of nominations and elections, the chosen candidate will go unopposed,” he said.

He however said it was necessary under article 39 of the Constitution of Zambia for the country to hold the presidential by-elections within 90 days as some opposition political parties have indicated that they will participate in the elections.

Some leaders from the ruling MMD have proposed that opposition political parties should forego presidential by-election and instead rally behind acting President Rupiah Banda in November this year.

But major opposition political parties yesterday opposed the suggestion by the MMD saying it would be suicidal for political parties to forego the by-election and choose to support Mr. Banda.

The opposition political parties noted that it would not be good for Zambia to abrogate its own constitution and do something else through a transitional government without conducting a presidential by-election.

And various stakeholders have also insisted that the presidential by-elections should be held in line with the constitutional provision regardless of the costs involved.

The United Party of National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) have indicated that they will contest the by-elections while the New Generation Party, All People’s Congress (APC) and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) have backed out of the race.

The presidential seat fell vacant after the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday, 19th August 2008, at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

Dr Mwanawasa’s second and final five year term of office was due to end in 2011.

The victor in the presidential by election will serve the remainder of the late Dr Mwanawasa’s term before being subjected to another national election if readopted by the sponsoring party in 2011.

ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS.

Dear Munzanga,

It’s been over a year since I became a parent over here Kumangalande. I can only tell you that it hasn’t been what it’s made out to be. I have no help whatsoever. I have so many  sleepless nights without rest, and not no single relation to run to.

Munzanga, parenthood is like a secret society, nobody tells you what goes on inside until you get in and when you do, you just want to say please release me. Your so called life is no longer your own but belongs to that child, and worse Munzanga is that a babysitter kuno is so costly so I bite my tongue and and act like everything is okey. Am I losing my mind Munzanga?
Your friend,
Nalema

The Forum for Democracy and Development-FDD has resolved not to participate in the forth-coming presidential election.

During a meeting in Lusaka, Sunday, the party said it will instead take part in the other presidential election scheduled for 2011.

FDD President, Edith Nawakwi, said her party will contest the polls in 2011 under a new constitution, which will require that a presidential candidate wins by 50 plus one vote.

Zambia goes to the polls in November in a presidential by-election, following the death of president Mwanawasa on August 19.

A debate on whether or not Zambia should hold a presidential by election is gaining momentum.

The ruling MMD and other political players have suggested that the country foregoes the election because it is expensive.

However, the main opposition parties, the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development have strongly opposed the suggestion.

The say there is need for Zambia to respect the constitution as doing the contrary will be setting a bad precedent.

[ZNBC]

A Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) has urged the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to seriously review and adopt Article 149 in the Mung’omba Draft Constitution that has the provisions of the Presidential running mate system with a view to avoiding the costly running of the Presidential by-election.

Chikondi Foundation President, Bishop John Mambo, says there is need for NCC to adopt Article 149 that provides the adoption of the Vice President as a running mate of a Presidential candidate and that allows the adoption of the Vice President as President in case a calamity befalls the President.

Bishop Mambo has told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the adoption of Article 149 in the Mung’omba Draft Constitution will help to avoid the unnecessary costs of holding of Presidential by-elections.

Bishop Mambo, who is also Nyamphande Orphanage President, said the adoption of Article 149 will play a crucial role in bringing about political stability as well as help to foster economic development in the country.

The Lusaka-based clergyman said there is need not to dilute the provisions contained under Article 149 in the Mung’omba Draft Constitution as this would help to prevent political divisions and fighting in the country’s political parties.

Meanwhile, Bishop Mambo has advised Movement for the Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Presidential candidate, Rupiah Banda, to carefully scrutinize politicians who have joined in supporting him after scooping the party’s Presidential candidacy.

Bishop Mambo said there is need for the Acting President to carefully examine politicians who at one time never supported him to stand as MMD’s Presidential candident in the forth-coming Presidential by-election.

The clergyman charged that the people who have now thrown their weight on Acting President, Mr. Banda, were just seeking political appointments in case the Acting President Mr. Banda scoops the forth-coming Presidential by-elections.

Bishop Mambo has since cautioned the Acting President not to work with politicians who are only interested in political appointments but instead appoint credible people who have the interests of adding value to the development of the country.

He urged presidential aspirants in the forth-coming Presidential by-elections not to centre their political campaigns on character assassinations but instead base their campaigns on pertinent issues that will contribute significantly to the development of the country.

And Bishop Mambo has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to expedite the announcing of the forth-coming Presidential by-election date in an effort to give an opportunity to political parties to sell their party manifestoes.

Bishop Mambo, who also echoed calls from various political parties and organisations to have the elections date announced, said there is need for the ECZ to expedite the announcing of the Presidential by-election date so as to help the people make informed decisions on which political leader they have to vote for.

Bishop Mambo has since urged the Zambian people to remain peaceful and united as the country goes for the Presidential by-election in November this year.

ZANIS/ENDS/TK/EB

Church and Government when the King is dead.

By Rev.Dr. Justine Likuka

Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was Zambia’s first cool president. His death in Paris, France on 19^th August, the coming in of his casket aboard a French Government plane; his finally burial at Embassy park on 3rd September captured on film and televised nationwide, relentlessly – etched this image of sorrow and loss; permanently onto the national psyche.

Many Zambians saw Mwanawasa as a realistic, visionary politician cut down prematurely in service to his country. According to the sentiments that poured down on National television and Radio, Mwanawasa has set precedence for the presidency in Zambia. I stand to be corrected but definitely, with all fairness, analyzing what the people are saying about our leader; we have a standard set for the presidency of this great nation – Zambia; a nation under God.I personally feel Mwanawasa will forever be loved by the Zambian because he didn’t last long enough to get to be unpopular”.

As the church in Zambia, I do strongly believe we have a mandate to be “Watchmen on the walls” of the nation of Zambia. As Christians in a “Christian Nation”;

1. We have a God -given duty that extends to the civil realm.

2. Teaching biblical principles of public life

The authority of the Church goes beyond the four walls of their beautifully painted cathedrals and churches – we are “Watchmen on the walls“.

The church shapes the character and thinking of the people who in turn shape the character and direction of the Nation. Zambia is a nation under God, which is where I personally urge the Clergy in Zambia to give direction and counsel in the affairs as regards to the succession of our dear president and father – Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

The source of Zambia’s greatness and liberty/freedom lies in the churches and church leadership of Zambia – not just any churches though, but those whose pulpits are aflame with righteousness and whose messages encompass all aspects of life. In regard to the public life of the nation – ministers [Pastors] should be “Watchmen on the walls”, educating the people in biblical principles as applied to all of life, so that the people will know the right views to hold and the proper action to take when a calamity befalls them and their nation. A knowledgeable citizenry is essential for liberty – and to obtain this, we need a knowledgeable clergy.

In this time and hour – what Zambia needs is a conscious direction of where we are going from here. Levy brought us this far; what we need is continuity as this is the heart beat of God. Never at any time in His Word did God start what He wouldn’t finish. Even when Moses couldn’t take the children of Israel into the Promised Land which he so believed in – God raised a Joshua to accomplish that mission.

God will never abort his purposes for a people or a nation. I do believe there is a “Joshua” somewhere in Zambia. A man/woman who studied the ways and vision of our president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. Every Joshua at one time served under his Moses! In Isaiah 62:7 and Hebrews 13:7 [respectively]

God says He has posted watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem who will never be silent day or night…… they will keep watch over you [Zambia] as men who must give account.

I do hereby urge all my brothers and sisters, the civil society, the church and the clergy to look up to God for direction and counsel in the matters affecting this nation today and beyond.

To the politicians – all that the Zambian people need is a Joshua; don’t give us “Achan” to lead us. He might have been near Moses or even within the camp of Moses but Achan is not a “Joshua.”

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

A Prayer for Today

The MMD has charged that it has now taken over the areas where the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) was a stronghold.

And the MMD has disclosed that the party will next week devulge a new campaign strategy ahead of November presidential by-election.

NEC Chairman, Michael Mabenga, says the ruling MMD is now stronger than before and the PF leader Michael Sata should know that his party is now weak.

Addressing scores of MMD cadres at the MMD Secretariat in Lusaka today, Mr. Mabenga, who is also  acting Party President, said the opposition will not get the votes which they got in 2006 presidential elections.

The cadres marched from Town Centre to MMD Secretariat in solidarity of newly elected MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda. He polled 43 votes beating Finance and National Planning Minister Ngandu Magande who polled 11 votes.

He said this time around, the ruling party will sweep the presidential elections as well as the three parliamentary by-elections in Kanchibiya, Mwansabombwe and Ndola Central constituencies.

He cautioned Mr. Sata not to panic about the presidential election date because the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will set the date and it does not need to be told or reminded.

Mr. Mabenga further warned the opposition political parties to desist from engaging themselves in dirty politics but conduct politics in a clean manner that is peaceful.

Mr. Mabenga said the MMD presidential candidate and acting President, Rupiah Banda, will take on the legacy left by Dr. Mwanawasa because he is the most preferred candidate to take Zambia to the next level.

He regretted that Dr. Mwanawasa is no more but assured that NEC that Mr Banda would do  the best for Zambians.

And speaking earlier, MMD Lusaka Province Youth Chairman, Steven Bwalya, appealed to the party members and other MMD sympathisers to start campaigning now.

Mr. Bwalya commended NEC for settling on Rupiah Banda for MMD presidency.

And MMD Lusaka District Chairman, Paul Chihande, said Mr. Banda has committed himself to what Dr. Mwanawasa stood for in areas of corruption crusade in oder to restore dignity and selfless nation.

Mr. Chihande said Mr. Banda is the man entrusted by both the ruling party and on behalf of the nation because he is mature, trusted and tested person who will pursue the late Mwanawasa’s legacy.

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/EB

Losing MMD Presidential aspirant and Finance and National Planing Minster, Ngandu Magande, still insists that he is the rightful candidate to succeed the late Zambian republican President, Levy Mwanawasa had the National Executive Committee (NEC) members settled on him.

Yesterday, Mr. Magande lost by 32 votes to guarantee Mr. Rupiah Banda who is also the republican Acting President to scoop the MMD candidency that was heavily contested by other MMD presidential aspirants.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Magande claimed that he is clean and Dr. Mwanawasa entrusted him as Finance Minister because of his prudent accountability to public resources.

He said for many years he had worked with Dr. Mwanawasa, he never stolen a single ngwee from public the coffers.

Mr. Magande, however, said he will throw his weight to the newly elected MMD President, Rupiah Banda, and described the MMD elections as democratic and free and fair.

He declared that he has always been ready to succeed since he was assured byDr. Mwanawasa because he and the late president wanted Zambia to become a prosperous and rich nation in 2030 because government planned for Vision 2030.

He further called for unity in the party in the interest to foster national development if the legacy of the late President Mwanawasa is to live on.

And MMD Deputy National Chairman, Kabinga Pande, has urged the MMD to support newly elected MMD Presidential candidate, Mr. Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Pande says Mr. Banda alone cannot deliver without the support of all party members.

He says NEC’s decision to pick on the acting Republican President was arrived at from the cries of the people because MMD is a listening party and also a listening government.

Yesterday, Mr. Rupiah Banda scooped the MMD Presidential candidature that was heavily contested by other MMD presidential hopefuls. He polled 43 votes to beat other contestors.

He said it is the wish of the ruling party to see to it that Mr. Banda is elected republican President who will take over the developmental projects initiated by Dr. Mwanawasa.

He charged that one way to honour Dr. Mwanawasa is for the MMD to vote for Mr. Banda so that the legacy of the late Zambian leader lives on.

The MMD Deputy National Chairman further called on the nation to vote for the acting President, Rupiah Banda, because he has shown leadership qualities and maturity to govern the nation.

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/EB

United Liberal Party President Sakwiba Sikota has advised president’s of opposition parties to let MMD’s Rupiah Banda assume the Presidency without an election.

Mr. Sikota says this will save the country colossal amounts of money which can be used for national development.

He said national interest should override ambitions of becoming president.

Mr. Sikota observed that the MMD has majority of members of parliament and that in the event of opposition party winning, parliament would have to be dissolved and elections called.

He said in Lusaka that he is aware of the constitutional requirements for the presidential by-election but parties should put national interest first.

But United Party for National Development UPND Vice President, Richard Kapita said the dictates of the constitution should prevail.

He said in the event that an opposition political party presidential candidate wins, opposition MP’s can be appointed to cabinet like Dr. Mwanawasa did.
[ZNBC]