Zambia Election Update

October 31st, 2008

Many thanks to Father Singini Nacidze OMI and his staff in Lusaka for sending the following update on the recent presidential elections in Zambia.

On October 30, Zambia went to the polls to choose its fourth republican president to replace President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa who died on August 19, in France.

The race is tightly contested by the acting president, Hon. Rupiah Banda of the movement for Multi Party Democracy, (MMD), and Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front-PF, Hakainde Hichilema of United Party for National Development, (UPND) and Brig. Gen Godfrey Miyanda. As been expected, the race is mainly between the populist opposition leader President, Michael Sata and Rupiah Banda, resident, who has pledged to continue the cautious economic policies of Levy Mwanawasa. Amongst many other things Mr Sata is pledging to continue stumping out corruption in the country and slashing taxes for public servants and conjuring a solution to rising food and fuel prices.

Earlier, many analysts predicted that Mr. Banda will win by a hair’s breadth, in part because two other hopefuls may split the opposition vote. Mr. Banda lacks his rival’s flair but has the better claim to the mantle of Mr. Mwanawasa. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on Friday, 31 October, started announcing the results from the 150 constituencies. The Patriotic Front seems to be leading by over one hundred thousand votes.

The announcements are being issued by ECZ chairperson, Florence Mumba. Justice Mumba said the ECZ wanted to ensure that there was no confusion in the way the results are announced. The Mulungushi International Conference Center has been designed as the central place where election results from all the districts are being announced and given to the public through the media who will also be at the centre.

Justice Mumba said, “The aim was to eliminate the chances of tampering with the results while in transit. “Although this year’s presidential election has been a mammoth task and challenge, the commission will conduct it in transparency and fairness. ECZ has come a long way in its preparations and has put in place several measures to enhance transparency and stakeholder confidence in the electoral process,” Justice Mumba said.

She said the establishment of the election results centre was one such measure aimed at enhancing transparency. The non-governmental organizations in the country have been at hand to ensure that the elections go on smooth and also informing the public on the need to vote.

The three main church bodies in the country have taken a non- partisan stance on the elections. The church had convened an inter-denominational prayer service to pray for peace throughout the nation.

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