Tuesday, October 03, 2006

MISA Condemns Attacks on Post newspaper

1 October 2006

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chairperson Fr Frank Bwalya condemned the attacks against The Post newspaper by Patriotic Front President Mr Michael Sata in his press briefing on 30 September 2006 where he alleged that the newspaper was biased against him in its coverage of the Presidential poll results. MISA further condemned the demonstration by PF cadres at The Post Newspaper offices on the same day.

Mr Sata’s personal attacks on Post Newspaper editor Fred M’membe and his newspaper were regrettable, MISA noted, given the reality that the newspaper carried the story complained about after voting had ended.
"There was nothing wrong with the Newspaper’s report that President Levy Mwanawasa and the MMD were likely to scoop the Presidential elections and also to dominate parliament going by the trend the newspaper had observed," Fr Bwalya said, adding: "We think that Mr Sata should not direct his anger towards The Post newspaper and its editor. Attacking The Post Newspaper, for us, is like “Shooting the Messenger.” The action of the PF leader and cadres amounts to intimidation and is a violation of the right of The Post Newspaper to report freely on matters of public interest. In publishing MMD’s prediction of victory, The Post newspaper was merely performing its duty to inform the public. Therefore, we see nothing wrong in the action of the Post."

MISA Zambia passionately appealed to Mr. Sata and the PF cadres to channel their complaints through, what it termed official channels such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) or other means including legal redress.






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MISA condemns attack on QFM

2 October 2006

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia learnt with regret police attempts to dictate to Q-FM Radio how they should cover issues around the recent elections. MISA Zambia chairperson Fr Frank Bwalya said the visit to Q-FM radio station in Lusaka by senior police officers on 1 October 2006 who demanded that the radio station stopped broadcasting messages allegedly “inciting the nation” was retrogressive.

"Our investigation of the matter has revealed that Q-FM radio has not been broadcasting messages to incite the nation in its coverage of Thursday’s polls. What has happened is that the station has been carrying live broadcasts of press conferences, election results and events that have happened following the announcement of election results," Fr Bwalya said, adding: "We, therefore, believe that the action of the police was clearly aimed at intimidating Q-FM radio and preventing it from carrying out its broadcasts instantaneously. We strongly appeal to the police to desist from such intimidation because it is a violation of freedom of the press and
fuels further tension. On the other hand, we continue to appeal to the media to exercise maximum caution during this period of unprecedented tension in our country without compromising people’s right to be informed on matters of public interest."





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European Union Verdict on Zambia's Elections

 
 
 
 
Generally well-administered elections demonstrate significant progress
 
Lusaka, 30 September 2006
 
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been present in Zambia since 5 September 2006 following an invitation from the government of Zambia and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The mission is led by Chief Observer, Annemie Neyts, a Member of the European Parliament from Belgium. It comprises a core team of eight election experts in Lusaka, 36 long-term observers (LTOs), 48 short-term observers (STOs) and 52 locally-recruited short-term observers (LSTOs) from the diplomatic staff of all EU Member State embassies present in Zambia. In total, the EU EOM deployed 146 observers from 22 countries to all nine provinces in Zambia to assess the whole electoral process in accordance with international principles for genuine democratic elections.  On election day, the observers visited 790 polling stations in 75 of the 150 constituencies to observe voting and counting. The EU EOM is currently observing the conclusion of the transmission and tabulation procedures. The mission will remain in country until the end of October to observe all aspects of the post-election day period. The EU EOM will publish a final report, containing detailed recommendations, in November. The EU EOM operates in compliance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observers, commemorated at the United Nations in New York in October 2005. 
 
Executive Summary
 
§         The 28 September 2006 tripartite elections have so far been conducted peacefully and have been managed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in a largely professional manner. Voters had the option of a wide range of candidates to choose from in a genuinely competitive process. The enthusiastic participation of voters indicates a strong commitment of the people of Zambia to further the democratic development of their country.  
 
§         Despite some delays in the start of voting due to the late arrival of essential election material, election day proceeded well.  Voters turned out in significant numbers and polling took place in a calm and orderly environment. ECZ polling staff followed procedures well, and party agents and domestic monitors from NGOs were present in most polling stations observed.
 
§         The counting was conducted in a transparent manner. The process was slowed down by complex procedures and complicated counting forms. The electronic transmission of results is taking longer than expected due to insufficient staff training and unfamiliarity with the technology and the transmission forms. Confidence in the system nonetheless remains high.
 
§         Preparations for the elections were managed in a largely professional and transparent manner. The ECZ’s independence added to public confidence in the process, and it was perceived to be a credible and effective institution.
 
§         The legal framework provided for the conduct of democratic elections, although some areas require improvement and reform. The ECZ did not always adopt timely and clear administrative procedures to facilitate its organisation of the elections, sometimes resulting in unnecessary confusion.
 
§         The campaign period was generally calm, with only a few minor election-related incidents. Freedom of assembly was largely respected and provided in compliance with the Public Order Act. Freedom of expression was respected across the country. However, the lack of transparency and accountability in campaign spending, as well as the advantage of incumbency, resulted in an uneven playing field for candidates and parties.
 
§         The ECZ conducted a generally successful voter education programme that clearly enjoyed significant investment in resources and planning. However, activities did not always reach the most remote areas of the country.
 
§         Civil society organisations were actively engaged in election monitoring, civic and voter education programmes and facilitated public debates between contestants. These groups played an important and positive role during the elections and provided an invaluable service to voters.
 
§         The main candidates and parties gained access to the state-owned television channel, ZNBC TV, due to the sponsorship of a series of programmes by the ECZ and local NGOs. However, both in its television and radio services ZNBC failed to provide balance between candidates in  key areas such as news and there was strong bias in favour of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). The private media provided wider coverage of candidates and greater access to candidates and parties.
 
§         The number of women standing as candidates was extremely low, demonstrating a lack of recognition of the vital role of women in political life.  There was however a stronger presence of women in the election administration and civil society groups.
 
 
 
Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions
 
Background
The September 2006 presidential, parliamentary and local elections were the country’s fourth elections since the return to a multi-party system in 1991. While the 1991 elections constituted a significant landmark in the country’s transition to democracy, the elections in 1996 and 2001 failed to consolidate this progress. The 2006 elections benefited from the increased management capacity and independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).  However the late adoption of the new Electoral Act in May 2006 and the announcement of elections by the President in July 2006 meant that the ECZ had only two months to make all necessary arrangements.
 
President Levy Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) campaigned for a second and final term in office. He stood in a simple majority system against four other presidential contestants: Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF), Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Godfrey Miyanda of the Heritage Party (HP) and Ken Ngondo of the All People’s Congress Party (APC).  In the National Assembly elections, 13 parties participated and a total of 709 candidates contested the 150 parliamentary constituencies. A total of 4,095 candidates registered to compete in the local elections.
 
Legal Framework
The new Electoral Act of 2006, together with other election-specific legislation and more general legislative provisions and manuals issued by the ECZ, provided an adequate framework and effective basis for the conduct of democratic elections. The new and comprehensive Code of Conduct further strengthened the electoral process. While the Electoral Act reformed the legal framework, it did not introduce many of the changes that regional international organisations, civil society and observer groups had recommended, such as decentralisation of the election administration. Existing shortcomings in the legal framework include the absence of an effective complaints mechanism and provisions to accommodate voters with special needs.
 
Election Administration
The ECZ performed its duties in an independent and largely professional manner. Public confidence in the ECZ remained high, in marked contrast to previous elections. The ECZ organised a generally successful voter education programme communicated through the media and local stakeholders, although activities did not always reach the most remote areas of the country. These initiatives were supported by round tables with candidates, parties, youth and women’s organisations. Voters were encouraged to exercise their right to vote, and innovative formats such as television drama were employed to further public understanding of the election process.
The performance of the ECZ was hindered by the absence of timely administrative procedures to facilitate its organisation of the elections. Its lack of a clear operational plan and comprehensive guidelines during certain stages of the electoral process created unnecessary confusion in the administration of the elections. The Electoral Act 2006 introduced a mechanism at both national and district levels for the resolution of electoral disputes before election day. A National Conflict Management Committee (NCMC) was set up, comprising various election stakeholders.  Its late establishment, however, and its lack of both operational capacity and of public understanding of its procedures reduced the positive role that it could have played in the elections. Distinctions between the roles of the Conflict Management Committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission and the police remained unclear throughout the electoral process. Committees at district level to some extent suffered due to the delay at national level, and the resulting number of complaints lodged with district committees was small. In some areas, the committees actively resolved disputes and provided a valuable conflict resolution function; in others, their performance was less successful.
 
The selection of presiding officers and other polling station staff was viewed by some stakeholders as an arbitrary process. Polling staff are chosen from civil servants and public workers, but the absence of any additional recruitment criteria raised doubts about the transparency and merit of the process.
 
Voter Registration
A total of 3,940,053 people registered to vote in the 2006 elections. Although it is a significant increase of 33.9% on the 2,604,761 voters registered in 2001, it falls short of the target figure of 5,517,443. To qualify for registration, a citizen had to first be registered in the national civil register and be a holder of a national registration card. There were some criticisms of the coordination between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the ECZ in ensuring that citizens were issued national registration cards prior to the start of registration. There were also criticisms that the two-week verification period was too short for proper inspections, resulting in some omissions from the final voter list.
 
Candidate Nomination
The process of candidate nomination was conducted openly, although a number of candidates and parties were critical of the one-day nomination period for the parliamentary and local elections. The unnecessarily short time placed restraints on potential candidates, particularly those without easy access to the district capital.
 
Campaign Environment
The campaign period was generally calm, with only a few minor election-related incidents. The MMD, PF and UDA campaigned most actively across the country. The campaign centred very much on personalities, with candidates also focusing on national economic development and corruption. Freedom of assembly was generally respected and provided in compliance with the Public Order Act. The police adopted a flexible approach to the seven-day notice period necessary for a rally to take place, sometimes accepting very late notice of a planned event.
 
Across Zambia, various institutions and NGOs played a positive role in decentralising political debate by facilitating public discussions among candidates at a local level. Although the Electoral Act and Code of Conduct tightened regulations concerning the distribution of gifts by candidates to procure votes, the new legal provisions do not appear to have curtailed these problems. EU observers received several allegations of vote-buying as well as reports that candidates and parties were distributing gifts to individuals and communities. Despite the important role played by political parties in areas such as the training and deployment of party agents, there were incidents where parties openly encouraged distrust in the electoral system by promoting suspicion of election preparations, particularly the system for the electronic transmission of results. There are insufficient legal provisions to regulate campaign spending by parties and candidates, resulting in an uneven playing field.   
 
Media Environment
Freedom of expression and the right to publish was respected across the country during the deployment of the EU EOM. Media coverage of the elections was widely perceived to be a considerable improvement on the previous elections. The debate-style programmes sponsored by local NGOs and the ECZ on ZNBC TV that included candidates and NGO representatives, and the 90-minute interviews of the presidential candidates, were positive innovations that added considerably to the diversity of election coverage.
 
The media monitored by the EU EOM[1] covered the elections in markedly different ways. With the inclusion of the sponsored programmes the state-owned television channel, ZNBC TV, allocated, overall, 37% of its election-related coverage to MMD, 24% to UDA, 13% to HP, 13% to PF and 9% to APC. Despite these positive steps, ZNBC TV failed to provide balance in important programmes such as news bulletins. The MMD received a high proportion of news coverage (73%). The only other parties to receive any significant coverage in the news of ZNBC were the PF with 11% and the UDA with 10%. The remaining parties each received below 3%. Two of the three ZNBC radio stations demonstrated similar trends. On Radios 1 and 4, the MMD received 77% of election-related coverage across the two channels. Radio 2, however, provided a far greater degree of balance, allocating the MMD 42% of coverage, the PF and the UDA 20% each, followed by APC with 12%.
 
The private audiovisual media generally provided a greater degree of access to candidates, though the MMD remained the dominant party. Radio Phoenix’s coverage afforded the MMD 64% of time, followed by the PF (18%) and the UDA (13%). This, however, includes a large proportion of MMD paid for advertisements. Its news coverage demonstrates far more balance than the state broadcasters: MMD (44%), PF (28%), UDA (14%), ULP (6%) and the remaining coverage shared by four other parties. The independent candidate, Patricia Nawa, received the majority of airtime on MUVI TV due to the purchase of lengthy paid for political advertising slots. The channel’s news coverage allocated the MMD 59% of time, followed by the PF (27%) and the UDA (8%).
 
Newspaper coverage of elections also demonstrated varying trends. Excluding paid for political advertising, the MMD received 64% of election-related coverage in the Daily Mail, followed by the PF (16%) and the UDA (13%). In the Times a similar amount of space was afforded the MMD (62%), with the PF receiving 16% and the UDA 12%. The Post, however, provided far greater balance. The PF received 38%, the UDA 16% and the MMD 38%. In general, the tone of the coverage of elections across all media was neutral or positive. The only media outlets to critically engage in the elections were Radio Phoenix and The Post.
 
Participation of Women
Women were seriously under-represented as candidates in the elections, and the number of women who stood for election was less than in 2001. None of the five candidates running for president were women. A total of 106 (15%) of the 709 candidates standing for one of the 150 parliamentary seats were women. Female candidates contested seats in only 80 of the 150 constituencies. In the local council elections, of the 4,095 candidates standing in the 1,422 wards, there were only 404 female candidates.  The low proportion of female candidates is significantly below the commitments and targets included in various international protocols and agreements.
 
While a handful of candidates addressed issues of particular concern to the female population, only a small number of political parties and candidates made significant efforts to attract female voters. Such neglect in recognising the importance of women in political life also appears to be reflected in political party structures. Women candidates reported that parties provided unequal access to resources and that the nomination process favoured male candidates. There was however a stronger presence of women in both the election administration and the civil society groups involved in the elections. For example, 28% of presiding officers were women.
 
Election Day
EU observers visited a total of 790 polling stations. Election day proceeded well, despite some delays and postponements in the start of voting due to the late arrival of essential election material. Voters turned out in significant numbers and, despite often lengthy queues, polling took place in a calm and orderly environment. Domestic monitors from NGOs were present in 89% of visited polling stations. Party agents were present in 95%, contributing to the transparency of the process.
 
Polling procedures were assessed positively in 90% of polling stations visited, demonstrating the quality of staff training and the professionalism of election officials. The counting process was slowed down by complex procedures and complicated counting forms. Nonetheless, it was conducted in a transparent manner, with election officials demonstrating commitment to their duties.
 
The system for the electronic transmission of results was introduced to facilitate their tabulation and announcement. However, insufficient staff training and unfamiliarity with both the technology and the transmission forms has slowed down the process. Confidence in the system by election stakeholders remains high.
 
The EU EOM wishes to express its appreciation to the ECZ and other Zambian authorities, political parties and civil society for their cooperation and assistance during the course of the observation.  The EU EOM is also very grateful to the Delegation of the European Commission to Zambia for their support throughout.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
§          Mr Luis Martínez-Betanzos, EU EOM Deputy Chief Observer  Tel: +260 99 777 501
§          Ms. Sarah Fradgley, EU EOM Press Officer                                 Tel: +260 99 777 503
 
 
European Union Election Observation Mission
Zambia Tripartite Elections 2006
 
 


[1] The media outlets monitored by the EU EOM were the state-owned ZNBC TV & ZNBC Radio 1, 2 & 4; state-owned daily newspapers the Daily Mail and the Times; and a sample of private media: The Post, Radio Phoenix and MUVI TV. Monitoring of the broadcast media was conducted daily between 18:00-00:00 hours. An additional 2 hour period 06:00-08:00 was added for Phoenix Radio.


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Levy's acceptance speech

The secretary to the cabinet Kanganja called the new president to give his inaugural address.
 
Levy Mwanawasa welcomed his guests before he made his speech. He was happy that he was asked to serve the nation for a second time. This enables him to be the best and follow his vision. Going by the results of the elections he congratulated all for putting up a spirited fight. Mr Michael Sata, your skills ...
 
I congratulate you for your vigilance, HH for giving him a good run for his money; Miyanda and Ngondo, you have demonstrated your take on the country's democracy.
 
Peace we enjoy can attest to the maturity of our democracy. Young and old you have demonstrated to the whole world of your understanding of our democracy.
 
Elections have showed what Zambians want. They have scrutinised and chosen. They have spoken in a voice that cannot be ignored. Elections have showed that real jobs matter and must be created to for the people.
 
The fights against corruption must be tackled with greatest speed. The people have spoken on the road infrastructure and must be addressed effectively. They need empowerment, poverty must be tackled. prosperity for themselves and their children. Period of of electioneering is over and its time to work.
 
The victory is not only for MMD but it is victory for all of us. It is time to turn to the many problems affecting our people. There is need for acceralating delivery services to our people. The opposition, the people who did not vote for MMD, are also part of government.
 
 


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Inauguration of a foreign president

The inauguration of Levy Mwanawasa is taking place October 3 at the national Assembly.
 
The only public, are members of the Movement of Multiparty Democracy (MMD). Only the president of Namibia is attending, returning a favour that Mwanawasa made some years ago. Others from the region are vice presidents and government leaders.
 
Joshua Kanganja, the secretary to the cabinet made an introductory speech, referring to the electoral process and how this was lauded by monitors and observers as being free and fair.
 
The inauguration is taking place at National Assembly grounds and the whole is a very big fortress.
 
Justice Enerst Sakala was called to swear in the new president
 
"I Levy Patrick mwanawasa, having been constitutionally elected as president of Zambia and blah blah blah," Mwanawasa said to the cheers of MMD cadres. The Chief Justice handed over instruments of power.
 
 And Kanganja called the president's wife to give her huusband  the mother of all kisses she had promised on nomination day. The mwanawasa clan took over greeting the new president.
 
Of interest is the continued announcement that Lupando Mwape, defeated in the parliamentary elections, was still vice pressident.


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Zambians to eat Cabbage for the next five years

Riding on a minbus on October 2 many passengers discussed the events that had turned round the expected win by Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata.
 
"We just have to accept to eat cabbage for the next five years," said one passenger.
 
"Our area, Garden showed Mwanawasa that we don't want him," said another in reference to the two day riots that had engulfed that part of the city.
They were all agreed that Mwanawasa did not win the elections.
 
In another minibus to the same area of Garden on October 3 the topic was again about Mwanawasa's win.
 
"He will not finish his term," said one fat woman. The seeing a street boy lying on the pavement, she added: "Look at that boy. He must be dazed from some chamba or glue smoking. Who will take him?"
 
"The villagers, how could they vote for such a man," said a male passenger at the back of the vehicle.
 
"Those villagers are happy that their maize is bought for one million, they don't get cash and when they get it  it does not last long," she said.
 
"Pray that God should give him another stroke," said another passenger. The minibus bursts into laughter.
 
"Now we have to eat cabbage, boiled cabbage, cabbage with ground nuts, cabbage with cooking oil until we cannot eat any more," said another passenger.
 
The Zambian elections produced the unexpected results in which the incumbent was declared winner on Monday October 2, 2006.
 
Announcing the results Chief Justice Enerst Sakala said Mwanawasa had won the elections.
 
Earlier chairperson of the Electoral Commission Ireen Mambilima completed announcing the last 15 constituencies, most of which were won by the Patriotic Front.


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Friday, September 29, 2006

More thumping for Mwanawasa from Sata

As the elections result continue to be announced there is more sad news for the incumbent Levy Mwanawasa.

In Lusaka the presidential results show the magnitude of the thumping the MMD and Levy Mwanawasa have received from Sata. In Chawama Sata had more than 20,000 votes with Levy at 8,000 while in Kabwata Sata had more than 25,000 votes with Levy at 7,000.

Similar results have been reflected on the Copperbelt, Northern and Luapula.

Levy Gets a thumping from Sata

Ruling MMD presidential candidate Levy Mwanawasa, who based his campaign on his economic success appears headed for a massive loss in the September 28 elections.

Mwanawasa has lost in Lusaka where most of the seven parliamentary seats have been won by Michael Sata's Patriotic Fron party.

Mwanawasa has also lost in Kitwe, Mufulira, Luanshya and Chililabombwe while results for Chingola and Ndola are being awaited.

The defeats on the Copperbelt have been with margins that are landslide and will be difficult to recover from.

So far Sata and the Patriotic Front has won in two other provinces - Northern and Luapula - while the party also has a fair share of votes in Eastern and Livingstone.

It is now a matter of time as to when Mwanawasa will concede defeat.

Sikota Wins in Livingstone

United Liberal Party president Sakwiba Sikota has retained his parliamentary seat in Livingstone.

Speaking in an interview with the privately owned Muvi TV Sikota said he was happy that the people of Livingstone had re-elected him.

"I love the people of Livingstone and I know that they also love me. That is why they have re-elected me," Sikota said adding that he was aware that in the past it has been difficult for any sitting Member of Parliament to retain the seat.

Honourable Sikota broke away acrimoniusly from the United Party for National Development (UNDP) following its convention to elect a new leader after the death of Anderson Mazoka.

Sikota formed his United Liberal Party which went into an election pact with Michael Sata's Patriotic Front and have since won most seats in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

It is still to be seen whether Sikota's party will scoop the majority of seats in Western province where several UPND members in the former parliament resigned from the UPND at the same time.

Is is this the start of a rising star for Sakwiba Sikota? Will his link with the "King Cobra" yield results?

Welcome President Michael Sata

After yesterday's vote it has become obvious that Michael Chilufya Sata will be Zambia's next president.

Results in Lusaka appear to favour Sata as he has swept the poll with a margin of 3 to one in some places. Besides results from outside Lusaka - especially on the Copperbelt, Northern, Eastern and Luapula are showing that Sata is the favoured presidential candidate.

Parliamentary results in Lusaka also show that Sata's patriotic Front is on the road to sweeping the seven seats in the city.

In Kabwata constituency Given Lubinda won with a comfortable landslide, similarly in Lusaka central Guy Scott was on the way to winning the seat.

Sata takes Early Lead

The results of the presidential elections started trickling in last night (September 28).
The Mail, a government owned newspaper indicated that Sata of the patriotic Front was leading in polling districts in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula, Eastern and Northern provinces.
 
And results announced on QFM showed that Sata led by a very high margin followed by Hakainde Hichilema in second place and Levy Mwanawasa of the ruling Movement for Multimparty (MMD) in third.
 
In some polling districts like the University of Zambia Sata polled more than 1,800 votes to Hichilema's 1,100 while in others the ratio was one to three.
 
In Ndola at Red Cross Sata had 999, Levy 306 and Hichilema 306 while at Kabushi Sata had 683, Levy 418 and Hichilema 84.
 
In Chingola at chingola Arts Sata had 889, Levy 192 and Hichilema 142. In Northern province at Kasama's Chipani polling centre Sata had 677, Levy 180 and Hichilema 60.
 
It appears these are signs that Levy Mwanawasa has been rejected by voters and by the end of today - September 29, it will be clearer who will be Zambia's next president.
 
It is likely that Michael Chilufya Sata aka King Cobra, will be the next president and the Chinese Government must prepare their position - will they remain in Zambia or will they leave?
 


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All Eyes on the Ballot Box

Many thousands of Zambians turned out to cast their vote on September 28
In Lusaka, every polling station was inundated with people as early as 03.00 am waiting for the polling stations to open at 6.00 am local time.
 
In the Mandevu constituency of Lusaka, Olympia Park school has three polling stations of Olympia North, Olympia East and Olympia South opened with long ques of people, all anxious to cast their vote. I estimated the number of voters at 70 percent and this appeared to be good news for Michael Sata, one of the five presidential candidates.
 
At Ngwerere school within Mandevu constituency, there are more than 20 polling districts. Here too, the turnout was quite high and many talked of being in the boat - the symbol of Michael Sata.
 


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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

TRASH CANDIDATES OR WHAT?

Dear All,
 
Mr. Derrick Sinjela has challenged the Zambian community media to take sides and make their views known in this year’s Zambian presidential election. I have therefore taken some excerpts from today editorial on one of Zambia privately-owned paper The Post for us to discuss and analyze.
 
“Sata is a reckless opportunist who would sell anybody and anything for politics. Sata will not hesitate to divide any group or people if that will give him power - he is a very decisive character.
 
“Zambians should not be cheated by people who are promising to look after them after they failed to do so when they were in the office. These people want to return to office in order to continue their plunder of natural resources. Whatever we do, we should not give GIVE people our VOTE so that they plunder our economy again.”
 
Quote from the Zambian Post Newspaper entitled DON’T ALLOW THIEVES TO GOVERN 19/09/06 in reference to Mr. Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front, Zambia ’s leading political party in this year’s election.
 
Specifically I would like our academicians from the schools and departments of journalism and media studies to tell us what they think about the challenge that Derrick threw to us and advise how we should go about this issue.
 
I would also like to hear the views of other media institutions about this approach. Should we trash candidates in an election and influence voters to vote for our preferred candidate?
 
Elias
 
The Coordinator


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Journalists Talk

hi everybody,
i equally zarina's comments on this very important matter. i feel that as we go to the polls in a few days' time journalists in the country should be seen to be above board. let us  conduct ourselves in a professional manner stop being partisan and siding with anybody let the public be the final judge. posterity will judge those journos that are siding with politicians.
abash unprofessionalism
i rest my case
evans.
 
zarina geloo <zgeloo@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi all,
 I read the Post editorial and like Mervin i think an opion is just that,We know the Post and its leanings. There is an interesting conundrum here. The Post and Sata are tight, the post is un movable (if there is a word like that) when it comes to corruption. Sata says he will review the charges against Chiluba et al with a view to dropping them because like many, there appears to be a lot more questions than answers. so how does the post treat its best friend in these circumstances?i think they had no choice but to hammer Sata - but I suspect Sata probably saw the editoral before it was published in a way of letting him know what was coming. As for journos being partisan where did tht come from? a journo's job is to report not make decisions for others.

Mervin Syafunko <syafunko@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Elias,
I did not want to get involved in this partisan debate
but the comment you have circulated has provoked me.
The idea is, as journalists and ethically speaking, we
are not to take partisan sides in the course of our
duty. And over this matter, anyone who went to a
journalism school worth its sort should not argue
about it.
AS INDIVIDUALS in our private capacity we can support
a candidate of our choice.
As for the comment in the Post it's a pity I cannot
read the whole comment hear in Windhoek on the net
since they have now commercialised the online version
of the Post.
However from what you jotted down I don't think there
is anything wrong with the editorial. The Post as an
individual entity is simply telling the masses of what
it thinks Sata is capable of doing. Actually I wonder
why it has taken so long for them to say it out.
Look without being subjudicial, it's clear that
Chiluba is facing serious criminal charges and Sata
says he is going to quash all the cases FTJ is facing
once he gets into power. Honestly where does this
leave the judicial system? They are the only competent
organ to decide whether the guy is innocent or not.
Why should it take the president (that is if Sata
wins) to pass the judgement.
As responsible journalists we should raise these
issues without having to take the role of cadres.
The comment by the Post is not misguided. As
journalists we should not forget so easily. Look at
what happened in Chawama when Sata led a pack of
panga-wielding MMD cadres to go attack voters who were
opposed to the MMD and have you forgotten about the
K2billion that was hauled from National Assembly to
fund the MMD conenvetion in Kabwe not very long ago.
Sata, Machungwa and late Mandandi were behind the
scandal. The scandal are too many to tabulate!
The good thing about the Post's comment is that it is
not campaigning for any candidate like Derrick is
campaigning for Sata.
So long for now,
Mervin
--- Zacomef Project wrote:

> Dear All,
>
>
>
> Mr. Derrick Sinjela has challenged the Zambian
> community media to take
> sides and make their views known in this year's
> Zambian presidential
> election. I have therefore taken some excerpts from
> today editorial on
> one of Zambia privately-owned paper The Post for us
> to discuss and
> analyze.
>
>
>
> "Sata is a reckless opportunist who would sell
> anybody and anything for
> politics. Sata will not hesitate to divide any group
> or people if that
> will give him power - he is a very decisive
> character.
>
>
>
> "Zambians should not be cheated by people who are
> promising to look
> after them after they failed to do so when they were
> in the office.
> These people want to return to office in order to
> continue their plunder
> of natural resources. Whatever we do, we should not
> give GIVE people our
> VOTE so that they plunder our economy again."
>
>
>
> Quote from the Zambian Post Newspaper entitled DON'T
> ALLOW THIEVES TO
> GOVERN 19/09/06 in reference to Mr. Michael Sata of
> the Patriotic Front,
> Zambia's leading political party in this year's
> election.
>
>
>
> Specifically I would like our academicians from the
> schools and
> departments of journalism and media studies to tell
> us what they think
> about the challenge that Derrick threw to us and
> advise how we should go
> about this issue.
>
>
>
> I would also like to hear the views of other media
> institutions about
> this approach. Should we trash candidates in an
> election and influence
> voters to vote for our preferred candidate?
>
>
>
> Elias
>
>
>
> The Coordinator


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Vote for WHO?

 
A journalist’s job or media institution is to help analyze, critique and report objectively on the happenings of their country in the hands of Politicians. The masses too have their own perspective in giving an analysis on the analysis (excuse my repetition) given even by the most respected media analyst or reporters.
I know the temptation of siding with one candidate lingers on journalists (some), but the Common Good Theory here should prevail and the Common Good is to let people cast that precious vote in a weeks time regardless of the consequences of their choice. Am sure all the media houses have done their best to educate and inform people through interviews with candidates as well as rally reporting. Who ever the people feel has a good agenda, will carry the day next week, whether the voting will be emotive or based on analytical and issue based campaign.. they would have cast the vote.
 
Its times like these that the Media, the Church, Government and NGOs need to realize that it is the common man, woman and youth who owe it to themselves to cast a vote based on their informed conscious through voter education.
 
And anyone of us may fall in any of the above categories (Man, Woman, Youth, Media, Church, Government or NGO). Cast your votes too on your best ‘practical judgment’ (Prudence).
 
Good luck to mother Zambia as those votes drop in the transparent boxes next week. My prayer of good wishes as you take on this challenging and daunting task of decision making for the glory of mother Zambia !
 
Fr. Freeborn.K - writing from TEXAS USA
 NB - Taken from a discussion on the Zacomef community media chat.


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Monday, September 18, 2006

Former Presidents Draw Own Battle Lines

First it was first President Kenneth Kaunda who, on September 13 confirmed his support of United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema. There was obvious condemnation by many of Kaunda's move especially that in his declaration Kaunda took the opportunity to declare that Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata was unfit to be president of Zambia.
 
Kaunda's utterances usually generate various reactions from a cross-section of Zambians.
 
The it was the turn of second president Frederick Chiluba who, on September 17 announced he was supporting Sata's candidature. Chiluba said he could not support MMD, the party that put him power in 1991, because President Levy Mwanawasa had destroyed the party.
 
Chiluba was speaking at Lusaka International Airport on his return from medical treatment. He also condemned Mwanawasa for blowing his trumpet over the fact that he had sent him for medical treatment in South Africa. Chiluba noted that when he was in power he had sent many people for treatment in South Africa including Mr Mwanawasa.
 
Of interest only Levy Mwanawasa criticised Chiluba for declaring his support for Sata. Of interest too, is the fact that most observers are now wondering which to the two former presidents would emerge victorious.
 
However, many are banking on Chiluba's popularity to propel Sata to victory.
"We are merely following the elders. Kaunda opened the door," commented former president Chiluba's aide Emmanuel Mwamba September 18.


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Friday, September 15, 2006

Kazembe whips MMD Cadres

The Zambian election campaign this week turned a dry leaf when Paramount Chief Kazembe in Luapula Province on September 10 ordered that MMD cadres and people campaigning for president Mwanawasa and the parliamentary candidate be whipped.
 
Mwata Kazembe confirmed on September 12 saying the MMD cadres he whipped were foolish and had no respect for his throne.
 
The cadres included five women and a man had gone to Mwata Kazembe's guest house singing and chanting Mumbanga's support songs and those of president Mwanawasa.
 
Mwata Kazembe later took four of the cadres to police where they were locked up around 22.00 hours and were only released on Monday September 11 around mid-day.
 
But isn't this not only a violation of freedom of _expression but also abuse of authority by the chief? It is interesting to what extent these elections are making people do or act extraordinarily!


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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Just a Dream

In 1964, young at 19 I had high hopes of what Zambia would become once independence was attained on October 24, 1964.
 
In 1968 after working for three years my hopes increased as I entered the University of Zambia to study for my first degree. I was part of the several hundred young under graduates being trained by the UNIP government under first president Kenneth Kaunda.
 
Didn't Kaunda repeatedly tell us that Zambia had less than one hundred graduates at Independence. This was a young country hungry for manpower - for doctors, nurses, teachers, pilots, engineers, mechanics, truck drivers and many other jobs that would turn Zambia into a modern state.
 
I completed my first degree in 1971, did some research in 1972 and by January 1973 I was on my way to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to study for an MLitt research degree. By December 1975 I had completed a long research thesis with a pretentious title - Approaches to Development in Northern Rhodesia.
 
And I returned to Zambia, still enthusiastic, still among the young men and women ready to take Zambia through its heights. Then came the publishing bug - first very innocent - publishing eduucational books to feed the ever hungry educational system.
 
But another bug entered - writing columns, commenting on the politics of the country - the one party state that befell Zambia while I was out of the country. And yet another bug entered in the form of Sunday Post - a newspaper I started in 1982 that didn't go far.
 
Disillusioned and unemployed - tried farming but drought put paid to that.
 
Then found solace at the American Embassy - Political Assistant - doing everything and nothing for Uncle Sam until that bug - the inquisitive journalist in need of expression returned in 1990. One party states were dying or about to die. Zambia was no exception - people were hungry - they wanted an outlet to express themselves.
 
Thus came a newspaper project that resulted in the Weekly Post (now The Post).
 
The new vision through the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) gave hope but just. As soon as the new rulers came to power in November 1991 the new vision immediately died.
 
Abandoned the Americans for a new battle, a new goal and a new dream. But it is 15 years now - through two governments of Federick Chiluba and one of Levy Patrick Mwanawasa State Counsel  - the dream has faded.
 
It is 2006 and new elections on September 28. The parties and their presidential candidates do not do much for the dream. What will it be? I am still wondering what type of dream it will be.
 
 


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A Look at Zambia's News Headlines

The forth-coming September 28 elections provide the backdrop. In this regard headlines scream at you - Scores Defect to MMD - that refers to the ruling party the Movement for Multiparty Democracy - this is the party that ousted first president Kenneth Kaunda in 1991. The news headline claims people were defecting from United democratic alliance (UDA), the Reform Party of former republican vice president Nevers Mumba and Michael Sata's Patriotic Front.
 
In the same vein Godfrey Miyanda - the Heritage party president is said to be undaunted by the low poll rating. There have been four polls - three suggesting that Mwanawasa will win the elections and one opting for Sata. I agree with Miyanda on one thing - all the polls appeared biased in one way or the other.
 
Amid the politicking ordinary life continues in Zambia. You become aware of this through headlines such as Two survive in Livingstone Plane crash - referring to a chartered plane that crashed in Livingston September 12 - the pilot and his passenger survived. An articulated refrigilated truck carrying chickens to the democratic Republic of Congo crashed and the driver survived. No mention is made about what happened to the chickens in a country that is full of hungry and poverty stricken people.
 
And without a government - all ministers ceased to perform their duties with the dissolution of Parliament and the calling for elections - though vice president Lupando mwape continues to perform his work illegally say the Law Association of Zambia and everyone else.
 
But according to the Law as prescribed by Levy Mwanawasa State counsel - it is important to refer to his being State Counsel (similar to the Queens Counsel in the United Kingdom) - it is legal. In zambia since Mwanawasa became a lawyer president our law is interpreted according to his understanding of the law. That is what he calls a government of laws and not men.
 
And without government - the state still worries about out-of-school children, according to the Ministry of Community Development and social services which has now expressed its concern. The public workers are promised a housing loan scheme while a father impregnated his 18 year old daughter in Kabwe and police arrested him.
 
In Mazabuka the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) opened a depot - the FRA is an agency charged with buying Zambia's crops - mainly maize. Now Mazabuka is one of the district that used to be in the maize growing areas of Southern Province.
 
Other mundane stories include a rural school sending an SOS as it needs K920 million for teachers houses and an ablution block for girls; Mufumbwe chief and some Koreans agree on mining terms, a United States expert on TB says monitor the administration of TB drugs while the frederick Ebert siftung representative in Zambia Gerd Botterweck advises the media and politicians to work in harmony


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Elections Fever Grips Zambia

Zambia is going to the polls on September 28, 2006. Five presidential candidates are fighting for the seat that second Republican president Frederick Chiluba once called very sweet.
 
All the five presidential candidates are promising Zambians heaven once elected to power. First president Kenneth Kaunda on September 13 reiterated his support for young Hikainde Hichilema - the United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate. He denied allegations that he has given his support to Hichilema because two of his sons are in alliance with him. The two sons are Tilyenji Kaunda, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) president who is chairman of the UDA and Kaweche Kaunda who is seeking election as Member of parliament in Malambo constituency.
 
Tilyenji stood and lost the disputed presidential race in 2001 which all observers believed were won by the later Anderson Mazoka but which were rigged in favour of current president Levy Mwanawasa.
 
Hichilema is new in politics. He resigned as a managing partner of Grant Thorton. in his declaration before Chief Justice Enerst Sakala, the UDA presidential hopeful declared assets of over K23 billion acquired in a short period of 15 working years. This has raised a lot of eyebrows because, observers allege, was earned through the administration of liquidated parastatal companies. Further observers allege that Hichilema mismanaged an Export Fund which was supposed to be accessed by business entities. They allege that he created shadowy companies which accessed this fund ahead of other eligible companies.
 
The other controversy surrounding Hichilema relates to the UDA presidential candidate's accession to the United Party for national development's presidence. They allege that Hichilema bought his way to the position and the party. In this regard his detractors claim that Hichilema bought support, first from Anderson Mazoka's widow and later to key members of the party.
 
They further allege that he rose to the party's position through tribalism because most of the people from Southern province belonging to the Tonga tribe publicly proclaimed his candidature. This briefly earned his the tribal tag which has not fully disappeared.
 
Thus first president Kaunda's support has not taken into account all these issues. Asked on Radio Phoenix on the link to his sons and whether he wanted to rule Zambia by proxy - the first president denied all this. However, he came out strongly against one of the most popular candidates Michael Sata, whom he claimed was not presidential material. And with regard to Levy Mwanawasa, the first president claimed Mwanawasa had allowed a known criminal and prohibited immigrant to return to Zambia to continue the plunder of Zambia's emeralds.


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