The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ )Director Danny Kalale to tell the general public on change of ECZ election monitors from teachers  to school leavers.

FODEP National Secretary Derrick Elemu said the criteria used in having school leavers as elections monitor instead of teachers should be well explained.

Mr. Elemu  charged that teachers had enough time to be trained, hence had the experience unlike the school leavers engaged in the October 30th presidential polls.

He noted that there was need for ECZ to not completely do away with the Teachers but let them also be part of the monitors to help the school leavers.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka Sunday, that ECZ should have consulted other stakeholders when coming up with such a decision.

The Secretary pointed out the school leavers are likely to face pressure from politician and cadres during the voting day  which can make them compromise with their duties, as they have a short period of  time to be  trained.

Meanwhile Mr. Elemu has opened the one day workshop on trainer of trainers in Lusaka Sunday with call that people should not vote on sympathy but vote for a person they feel is the right one.

“The voters should not just vote for a person because they sympathize with that person, but vote for someone because they will feel is the right one.” He said

He said people should not shun the exercise but turn up in large numbers, as it is the only way there can participate in choosing a person who should led them.

He further said his organization will focus on providing voters with information that will help them understand the electoral process.

He  has also appealed to the Citizenry to participate in the forth –coming presidential elections so that leaders are not imposed on them.

And to the participating candidates to debate and campaign responsibly   avoid involving personalities in the campaign messages, if they are to market themselves so that people should vote for them.

Mr. Elemu said the workshop  participants will be equipped with knowledge which there will share with the electorates in the Communities in which  they come from.

He disclosed duty of the participant to educate other information dissemination in different communities so that information reaches everyone as it plays a major role in helping the public understand the importance of casting a vote.

The workshop has attracted participants from eight district, namely, Lusaka, Kitwe,  Livingstone, Kafue, Petauke, Chongwe, Mumbwa and Mufurila.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM.

New Generation Party president Humphrey Siulapwa says his party has endorsed MMD Presidential candidate Rupiah Banda for the october 30 presidential by elections.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka,Mr. Sialupwa expressed confidenmce that Zambia under Rupiah Banda can be assured of good financial management.

Mr. Sialupwa said the Acting President is a gift from God saying every Zambia should be grateful for Mr Banda because he knows what true democracy is all about.

“We have seen what the MMD has done especially for the youths in the country. Mr Banda has promoted youth empowerment and a better manifesto than any other candidate” he said.

He urged the youths not to be involved in wrongful acts during the forthcoming polls and they should rally behind Banda because promoted youth empowerment.

Zambia is on the 30th of October set for presidential polls following the demise of Dr. Mwanawasa who died on 19th august 2008 and was put to rest on 3rd September.

Three parties have so far filled in for nominations which include the acting president Rupiah Banda for MMD, Micheal Sata for PF, and Hakainde Hichilema for UPND and Gen Godfrey Miyanda for Heritage party.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/MM

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has adopted the Zimbabwean electoral system of displaying votes outside polling stations to clear suspicions of vote rigging.

Choma Town Clerk, Golden Banda disclosed this during a Media training workshop for Southern Province based media personnel held in the Choma Municipal Council, Council chamber Saturday.

Mr Banda who is also Choma District Electoral Officer said the move is a step in the right direction and deserves support from all participating political parties.

”This will clear suspicion of a vehicle transporting ballot papers disappearing and only re-appear after some secret ballot papers had been fetched.

“Even the closely guarding of ballot papers will now be a thing of the past because results would remain at each polling
station,” said Banda.

Meanwhile, ECZ Senior public relations officer, Ms Silvia Bwalya has called on the media and other stakeholders to expose any electoral malpractices to the law enforcement wings and the commission itself.

Ms Bwalya said Cabinet ministers abusing government transport should be reported because they are not immune to the electoral code of conduct.

She also urged the Media to clear the misconception suggesting that the nation is preparing for a presidential by-election.

Ms Bwalya stated that the nation will have Presidential election where voters will be required to vote countrywide.

She observed that a by-election would mean restricting the poll to a particular section of society.

ZANIS/HC/ENDS/MM

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

A Prayer for Today

Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, thank You for making me righteous through the blood of Jesus. Remind me to pray for my leaders and those who are in authority over me so that Your righteousness will exalt this nation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

The Acting President Rupiah Banda has kicked off his campaign trial in Northwestern province with a pledge of of opening up oil fields in Chavuma district.

Mr. Banda assured Chavuma residence that with the help of God, he was geared to ensure that the oil fields in the area were opened.

He disclosed that foreign investors were already in the country and were prepared to start oil explorations in the district.

He disclosed that the Energy minister Kenneth Konga was not in his entourage Saturday afternoon because he had rushed back to Lusaka to finalise paperwork with foreign investors.

He further said he was ready to continue the fight against poverty and complete Mutanda Chavuma projects started by the late President Dr Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr. Banda also said that his administration was prepared to open up new coppermines in North Western province.

He said the mines will create more jobs for the Zambians so that their lives can be improved more than they have lived so far.

He further pledged to expand schools so that more children will be provided with space.

The Acting president said he will ensure that more medicines are provided to the remote parts of the district.

He was speaking during public really at Chavuma welfare ground Saturday afternoon.

He urged the people to vote for him in the forth-coming 30th October presidential by elections.

The Acting President pledged to use the vote to save the people of Chavuma.

He said he has experience and ability to do what he says he will do for Zambia and will deliver his promises.

Mr. Banda said he was grateful and happy with thunderous welcome accorded to him by people of Chavuma.

He said having saved under the late president Mwanawasa he was told to care for Zambians.

He said he was aware of the grief and pain that the people of Chavuma went through when they heard that the president had died.

He said Zambians are going to remember him as a great son of Africa and a good leader.

He recalled how the late president called him from his retirement at his farm .

Mr. Banda said although he was old at 72 years, he was still willing to save the people of Chavuma and Zanmbia in general.

Speaking at the some function Information Minister Mike Mulongoti appealed to people of Chavuma to give Mr. Banda the some votes they gave the late president.

MMD Chairman for information Benny Tetamashimba on the said the late president had confidence when he appointed Mr. Banda as the acting president when he left for Egypt.

And district MMD chairman Warrece Liana appealed to the Acting president to continue with the developmental projects left by president Mwanawasa.

Mr. Liana said the late president promised to tile Mutanda Chavuma.

He further said the electricity traffics were too high beyond the reach the reach of citizens.

He said electricity should be extended to other parts of the district and also appealed for early farming imputes and continue the cattle restocking exercise.

He however, stated that the poverty levels were growing strong in the district.

Acting president is accompanied by Information Minister Mike Mulongoti, provincial minister Kenneth Chipungu, and local government deputy minister Benny Tetamashimba Home affairs deputy minister Grace Njapao.

He was received at the mosses Lunta grounds by the Provincial executive chairman James Katoka, former Permanent Minster Richard and provincial and senior government and part members.

The acting president also attended the Likumbi Lyamize traditional ceremony, will also hold public rallies

Tomorrow he is expected to hold similar rallies in Kabompo and Mufumbwe districts. He will also visit some copper mines in Solwezi before he return to Lusaka..

ZANIS/MK/MM/ENDS…

A meeting of all chiefs and district commissioners in Southern Province to discuss development is taking place in Choma.

The two day meeting locally known as ‘indaba’ which is also being attended by some provincial heads of department is taking place at Kozo lodge.

Opening the meeting, Saturday, Southern province minister Daniel Munkombwe said the provincial administration decided to convene the chiefs’ meeting to deliberate on development issues affecting the province.

Mr Munkombwe told the gathering that government is determined to attend to all developmental needs of all chiefdoms in the province.

He urged traditional leaders to freely deliberate and offer suggestions that will help improve the living standards of their subjects.

And Mr Munkombwe has told the chiefs that the new graders procured by government for road rehabilitations which arrived in the province will soon be deployed in various districts to begin feeder road rehabilitations before the onset of the rains.

He said with or without an election, development must be facilitated especially that road infrastructure is critical to improving the economy.

The minister also disclosed that good progress is being achieved on the reconstruction of the Bottom road in the Gwembe valley, the tarrying of the Choma-Namwala road and the Batoka-Maamba road.

And speaking earlier on, provincial Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe said the role of chiefs is paramount in the development process of the province.

Mr Hakayobe said government would continue delivering some development programmes through chiefs because they are non partisan.

Southern province has 41 chiefs.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/MM

Confusion has rocked in the ruling MMD in Eastern province with two factions rallies at separate venues in Chipata district Saturday.

The disputes in the Provincial Executive Committee earlier this year, have now resulted in the division of the party into two  groups.

A check by ZANIS Saturday morning found some cadres supporting Kapata ward councilor Sinoya Mwale assembled at the tennis club while the other camp in support of the current PEC assembled at Mpezeni Park.

According to Chipata district chairperson, Benson Sakala confusion in the party was brought about by six district and constituency officials who were last week suspended for insubordination.

Mr Sakala named Mr Mwale who is also Chipata mayor and constituency chairperson Lazalous Sakala as some of the members that had formed a faction following their recent suspension from the party.

Others suspended are Susan Ngoma Women Chairperson, constituency Information and Publicity Secretary Dauzen Mwaza, district Youth Chairperson Isaac Moyo and Constituency Secretary Bernard Nkoma.

Mr Sakala alleged that the six organized a campaign meeting when they knew that PEC had scheduled a rally to be held in the district Saturday.

He stated that the faction that aims to bring confusion in the party, decided to hold another meeting to confuse the public who he said had to choose which meeting to attend.

The district chairperson expressed concern that the confusion in the party will affect the MMD Presidential canditate  Rupiah Banda’s chances of attaining a hundred percent vote in October 30 Presidential by election in the province.

Mr Sakala has since appealed to PEC to meet the Mangani Led faction to resolve the matter if the party is to attain its anticipated vote in the region.

And when contacted for comment MMD constituency Chairperson Mr Lazarous Sakala who was found at the Mangani led camp ,ruled out divisions in the party and attributed the confusion to poor communication on today’s meetings.

Mr Sakala said that some party cadres who were not informed about the provincial meeting, organized another meeting at Tennis club.

He however, disclosed that one of the meetings would be delayed to give chance to the other meeting.

He stated that the provincial campaign would be the first to take place before the constituency meeting.

But sources within the party said confusion in the party, started during the PEC elections that were held after late President Levy Mwanawasa dissolved the committee due to disorganization among its members, earlier this year.

Both Chipata constituency MP Mr Mangani and Provincial chairperson Knnedy Zulu could not be contacted for comment as they were reported to be in a meeting.
ZANIS/DM/HN/ENDS/MM.

Victory Ministries Pastor Nevers Mumba has denied receiving any bribe from Acting President Rupiah as stated by media reports.

According to a statement to ZANIS signed by his spokesperson Joe Chilaizya, Dr Mumba said he has not received any bribe from any body.

He has asked appropriate authorities to clarify the issue as he leaves Lusaka for Chinsali to bury his mother who died on September 23, 2008.

” It is his further wish that ( the allegation) would be done with the utmost sincerity and urgency,” Dr Mumba said in the statement.

Dr Mumba said in the same statement that he does not want to be used as ‘Impikiso'( Bemba word for sticks throwing during a fight)during this election campaign.

On media reports in the Post Newspapers connecting his to receive the K 15 million, Dr Mumba says he will not comment as he was still mourning his mother.

He however said he was still an MMD member and has declared his support to Acting President Rupiah Banda’s candidature for the October 30 Presidential By-elections.

‘ It is in this context that Dr Mumba had a meeting with his honour the Vice President on Tuesday, 23 September 2008. Dr Mumba has not received any bribe form anyone, ‘ said the statement in part.

Meanwhile Dr Mumba has paid tribute to Acting President Rupiah Banda abnd government for the assistance rendered during and the subsquent death of his mother on September 23, 2008.

Pastor Mumba formerly Vice President to late Dr Levy Mwanawasa said government, well wishers and friends had rendered incalculable assistance throughout the illness and death of his mother.

Government offered a plane to Dr Mumba and his family to fly his late mother’s body to Chinsali for burial on Saturday.
ZANIS/ENDS/MM

HERITAGE Party (HP) president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda yesterday struggled for over four hours to raise 200 registered supporters required for him to file in his nomination for the October 30 presidential poll.

Gen. Miyanda was scheduled to file his nomination at 14:00 hours but could not do so because by then, only a handful of HP supporters had been screened by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officers.

By 15:34 hours, he was still short of 62 supporters and had to wait until 17:38 hours to get the 200 supporters required for the filing process.

While Gen. Miyanda was waiting to raise the required number of supporters, Patriotic Front (PF) officials led by party president Michael Sata complained against the delay.

Mr Sata, his officials and PF cadres went to the Supreme Court to hear the names of successful candidates announced by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, who is the Returning Officer for the presidential poll.

PF secretary general Edward Mumbi took a swipe at ECZ deputy director for elections, Priscilla Isaacs and accused her of not following the law by extending time for Gen. Miyanda to file in his nomination.

Mr Mumbi wondered why the ECZ extended the time because Justice Sakala was scheduled to announce successful candidates at 16:30 hours.

But Ms Isaacs said the action was in line with the law.

After filing his nomination, Gen. Miyanda went outside to talk to reporters but it was difficult to get his message because of the deafening noise caused by PF cadres who stole the show as they chanted pro-Sata slogans.

And Justice Sakala certified as valid, nominations for all the four candidates, who include acting President Rupiah Banda, Mr Sata, Gen. Miyanda, and United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema.

[Daily-Mail]

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