Bantu Watch

Political parties complain of delayed election results

bantuwatch2010 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:57:19 +0000

By Mutale Kremer

Both Political Parties and voters bitterly complained about the slow
pace of releasing results of the national elections that were held on
Tuesday, September 20 and which explicably took long for the Electoral
Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to announce.

But the ECZ said the delay in announcing the election results from
around the country was because of slow information coming through from
constituencies to the official election results totalling centre and
from where the totals were sent to Mulungushi International Conference
Centre in Lusaka.

Throughout Wednesday ECZ Public Relations Manager, Cris Akufuna, kept
repeating the worn out excuse of not having new results that would
enable the Commission to come up with a consolidated result from all
of the 150 constituencies of Zambia.

Mr. Akufuna said the ECZ had by that time received results from some
totalling centres from around the country but that ECZ did not have
the general total results from constituencies.

He kept repeating that the results would only be announced when total
results from a particular constituency were received. But voters and
Members of Political parties were not impressed.

By Thursday morning tempers were so high that disgruntled elements on
the Copperbelt had taken the law into their hands by engaging in
disruptive behaviour and what was later described as ‘riots’.

The towns of Ndola, Kitwe and Mufulira were quickly engulfed in fire
and had it not been for quick action by police the situation would
have gotten out of hand.

It was obvious the nation was not interested in excuses from the ECZ
Officials. All the people wanted were election results.

And eventually the election monitors (local and international election
observers), civil society organisations, church representatives,
political parties and the local and foreign media at Mulungushi
International Conference Centre and most important of all the anxious
Zambian public, received the full results.

Meanwhile voters at Nakatindi polling station in Kanyama Constituency
(Lusaka) could not be given another chance to vote following the
action of some of them which resulted in ballot papers being burnt on
polling day.

Mr. Akufuna announced then that the only voters that would be allowed
to vote were those in polling stations that did not receive their
ballot papers by September 20.

Three polling stations were affected in Lukulu West (Western Province)
where the vehicle that was delivering ballot papers was involved in an
accident.

Delayed voting casts a smudge at City Library

bantuwatch2010 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:44:06 +0000

By Mutale Kremer

Quick action by an alert team of Zambia Police Service and the
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officers averted a near stampede
at Lusaka City Library polling station in Lusaka Central Constituency
after a slow pace of the voting process angered voters.

According to ZANIS, voters became impatient after being several hours
on the long queue and they tried to force their way into the polling
station.

But Police Officers and ECZ officials calmed tempers and averted the
near crisis by dividing the queue into two – one for female and the
other for male voters, respectively.

A police officer found at the scene controlling the crowd of male
voters said he had called for reinforcement from other officers.
“The situation was very tense this morning, but we have calmed the
situation. As you can see we created three streams for voters to cast
their votes. You can see the queue for women voters is almost
complete,” said one ECZ official who sought anonymity.

Meanwhile, long queues characterized Moseni polling station at
Muchinga Basic School, in Zingalume township in Matero Constituency
(Lusaka) with some voters filing as early as 03:30 hours.

Hundreds of young and old voters were found on long queues outside the
school gate meandering through into respective polling station
streams.

One of the Presiding Officers, Jama Mbambara, told ZANIS in an
interview that seven streams have been created to enable voters cast
their votes according to alphabetical order.

Mr Mbambara anticipated that the number of women voters was likely to
increase in the afternoon after they completed their respective
household chores.

He described the situation at the polling station as calm.
“All is going well. We slept here straight from Nakatindi Hall ( after
getting the ballot papers),” he said.

And a United Party for National Development (UPND) monitor, Blaston
Shawa, expressed satisfaction with the voting process.

Obama pats Zambia on the back

bantuwatch2010 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:41:54 +0000

By Mutale Kremer

United States President, Barack Obama, has commended Zambia for
peacefully changing ruling parties twice since independence.
President Obama praised Zambia for building on the “commitment to
multiparty democracy.”

He said it was encouraging to see all national players contributing to
the peaceful transition of governments.

“Zambia’s Electoral Commission, political leaders, civil society, and
above all its citizens all contributed to this important
accomplishment,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House
after the polls in Zambia.

He also hailed outgoing leader, Rupiah Banda, for his “contribution to
Zambia’s democratic development,” and his “admirable acceptance of the
will of the Zambian people.” Observers said the violence, which left
two people dead on Thursday had not compromised the elections, and
found no evidence of fraud in the voting. Scores of police on
horseback or in riot helmets stood by, but Banda’s speedy concession
of defeat diminished the chance of more unrest.

“The hard work of a living democracy does not end when the votes are
tallied and the winners announced,” Obama warned.

“Instead it offers the chance to reconcile and to advance greater
security and prosperity for its people. I hope that all Zambians will
find common ground as you address the challenges and seize the
opportunities facing your country and our world.”

The unity of Zambia’s leaders was most demonstrated on Friday,
September 23, when former Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda
attended the inauguration of new State President, Michael Sata, on the
grounds of the Supreme Court.

Was the people’s voice respected in recent Polls?

bantuwatch2010 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:39:17 +0000

By Susan Mwape

If democracy is rule of the people by the majority then it is obvious
that in last elections some of the constituencies were not contested
for and won by candidates who represented the will of the people.
In Kanyama Constituency (Lusaka) for example residents are still
smarting over the fact that it was not their will that prevailed but
that of political party leaders.

Residents of the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula ward, in particular, expressed
disappointment at the re-election of the current Member of Parliament
(Patriotic Front), Colonel Gerry Chanda.

Emmy Daka, a resident, claimed that Col. Chanda has added no value to
Kanyama Constituency as an MP. She claimed that since being elected MP
has never held any meeting with the residents of the constituency.

“Ever since the MP was elected he has never been here. He has no time
to even just visit us. I live two minutes away from the MPs office but
I do not even know him because I have never seen him,” she claimed.
Brenda Banda of Bwafwano Market agreed that she too was sad that the
people had voted for Col. Chanda. She cited lack of voter education as
one of the reasons that persuaded people to vote on party lines and
under a system commonly known as ‘suiting’ and which encouraged voters
to vote a presidential candidate and those of his people standing as
MPs and councillors.

Banda recalls with fondness the era of former MP, Princess Nakatindi
Wina, who was elected MP in 1991 and who she claims was the only MP
who attempted to make Kanyama a better place.

“It was during Princess Nakatindi’s tenure that the Kanyama road was
constructed. Princess Nakatindi used to hold meetings to consult us in
Kanyama. She was able to show appreciation as a Parliamentarian and
she ably represented us,” Banda declared.

But Joshua Hara, a resident of Kanyama, was bold enough to disclose
that he voted for the current MP, Colonel Chanda, because he was
confident that the PF would emerge victorious in the elections and as
a member of the winning party the MP will be able to change things for
the better.

He expressed hope that things would improve in terms of development in
the area through the MP considering that there would be a PF President
in State House. He acknowledged that there was a lot that needed to be
corrected but with Mr. Michael Sata in office of president Col. Chanda
will receive enough support from the government to develop the area.
All the residents of Kanyama, who were asked over the matter agreed
that the role of a Member of parliament is to represent the people who
elect them to parliament.

This entails that, the Member of Parliament should play the role of a
link between parliament and the voters. Many of them expected the MP
to engage them over matters of development, social reforms and policy
formulation.

Some residents complained that the office of MP and its surroundings
were dirty and poorly cared for and she expressed hope that the
situation will be turned round.

SACCORD Monitors Elections Using Social Media

bantuwatch2010 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:35:29 +0000

By Susan Mwape

The Southern Africa Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes
(SACCORD) partnered with some regional organizations to use social
media platforms to monitor the 2011 Presidential, parliamentary and
Local Government elections. SACCORD, in partnership with Sodnet, Hivos
and OSISA, hosted a platform called Bantu Watch.

Bantu Watch was a platform created for citizens to report malpractices
and give stakeholders an opportunity to redirect issues to relevant
authorities. Reports from around the country were sent to the platform
and steps were then taken to ensure that the relevant authorities are
contacted and they in turn were able to intervene.

According to Obby Chibuluma, Information Officer at SACCORD, they
hosted the administrators of the Bantu Watch platform. The
administrator would get information from the citizens and SACCORD
would then work towards verifying and following up on the reports.
“Verification of the reports was a critical element because after the
administrators got the information posted on the platform SACCORD was
responsible for the verification of information through our different
sources countrywide”, Chibuluma said.

SACCORD then made follow-ups with the relevant authorities such as the
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Police and other key
stakeholders. Chibuluma pointed out that some of the reports that were
received on Election Day included missing election materials,
violence, delays in the commencement of voting among others. He said
once this kind of information was received SACCORD then contacted
relevant authorities and informed them of the challenges.

Chibuluma said the violence in Lilanda (Lusaka), was reported to Bantu
Watch and they immediately dispatched a team of local monitors and
international observers who went to physically check the situation at
Lilanda. They also informed police.

Key among the reports that were reported to the platform was the
detention of a vehicle carrying election material for Kanyama
Constituency at Bayuni School where citizens in the area detained it
on suspicion that it contained pre-marked ballot papers.

SACCORD then advised the police to move in and contacted political
activists from the area. After lengthy discussions the vehicle was
released although this led to the delay of the voting process in some
polling stations in Kanyama.

“We realize that the social media is a growing platform. Through Bantu
Watch people shared information and relevant authorities were
contacted and they intervened. Issues such as vote buying and other
dynamics related to the electoral process enabled us to have a whole
picture of what was happening in the country. Bantu Watch helped in
getting quick resolutions to election related shortcomings. Citizens
countrywide sent their reports on a short code by phone text message
and the reports appeared on an online platform which can be accessed
on www.bantuwatch.org“, Chibuluma added.

SACCORD hopes that the platform can continue to be used. “The election
was only one part of it. Many promises were made by the new government
and we hope citizens can continue to utilize the platform to track the
promises of the politicians,” he reflected.

Bantu Watch was on election day inaccessible after some unknown people
tempered with the system but with the help of ICT experts the glitch
was overcome and the system was un blocked and the citizen’s reports
begun to flow normally once more.

The platform was run by 20 administrators and three technical experts
from Kenya who processed and verified the information received on the
platform. This platform will continue to run until December 2011 and
the hope is that it will be supported beyond the deadline.

Define Role of Chiefs in elections – Zambians demand

bantuwatch2010 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:37:58 +0000

By Mutale Kremer

Chief Mukuni of Kazungula [Southern Province] had ordered his
[headmen] to register the voter and national registration card numbers
of his subjects as a way of ensuring that they voted for President
Rupiah Banda in last Tuesday’s elections.

According to George Muzinga, who has been tasked by chief Mukuni to
conduct the exercise, all registered voters in the kingdom had been
ordered to register to determine how many people would vote for the
president.

“The chief has asked me and three other people to get all the voter
card numbers and NRC numbers so that we see how many people are able
to vote,” Mzinga said in Nyanja in a recorded interview before the
elections.

“So we are registering people in all the 12 zones (which
comprises of 144 villages) of the kingdom.”

Mzinga, who is a branch official in the ruling Movement for
Multi-party Democracy, said he had so far managed to register voters
in 11 villages and that the other MMD officials were carrying out a
similar exercise in other parts of the kingdom.

“So far I have managed to register voters in Zyanganyana,
Siafyebafweba,Siandombe, Sianyemba, Chuunga, Siandaunyana, Namalaza,
Malumani, Chimbumutwe, Siamasimbi and Mabbonga,” he said. “I am just
remaining with a few villages and by Saturday I will be through. My
wife is also carrying out a similar exercise with some MMD officials
in the gorges. We have all been paid K100, 000 to do this.”

And a village headman, who refused to be named, said some headmen in
the area had refused to have their subjects registered and that Chief
Mukuni had ordered that they be detained at Katapazi village until he
got back from the House of Chiefs in Lusaka.

“The Chief (Mukuni) heard that some village headmen have refused to
have people registered and he has issued instructions that he should
find then at Katapazi and he will deal with them,” the source said.

“We want the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to explain to us if
this is part of their program. These people (Mzinga and group) are
even asking people who they are going to vote for which doesn’t sound
right.”

The headman also disclosed that chief Mukuni has made a directive that
those with curio stalls at Mukuni village, which sells artefacts and
curios to visiting tourists, who did not support the MMD will be
“dealt with.”

“On Sunday, the chief sent word that those at the curio market who
were known not to support Banda (president) should have their stalls
repossessed and that others who are not part of the market will be
dealt with in the chief’s own way,” he said.

“Chief Mukuni should explain why he is doing that registration,” he
said. “What does he want to do with the information? And asking people
who they are going to vote for is illegal and should not be
entertained.”

Simusa said the opposition political party supporters were “playing a
fair game” and wondered why the MMD was not doing the same.

Can Zambia Continue To Be Peaceful In The Wake Of Poll Results

bantuwatch2010 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:35:33 +0000

By Sally Chiwama

“If Zambia continues to be a peaceful country after election results
are announced then she will have passed the test,” this was the
observation of Kenyan High Commissioner to Zambia, Dr. Kipyego
Cheluget, after voters went to the polls on September 20.
Dr. Cheluget knows what he is talking about. Before the disputed
national elections of 2007 Kenya, like Zambia, was considered the
oasis of peace and tranquillity. Kenya, like Zambia today, was at the
time enjoying remarkable economic growth and enviable relations
between the various ethnic groups of the country.

But all this unravelled in the days following the election results
when the country split into two with one of the dominant tribes of
Kenya – the Kikuyu – taking one side, while on the opposing side the
other dominant tribe, the Kalenjin also plotted mischief.

In the upsurge of violence that encompassed the country 1,200 died and
over 500, 000 fled from their homes for fear of ethnic violence or the
reprisals that followed the violence. And that Kenyan violence was
triggered off by reports that government supporters had tried to rig
the elections.

It is for this reason that Kenyan High Commissioner Cheluget advises
that Zambia can only celebrate the September 20 polls after the
outcome of the election is known and accepted by all parties that
participated.

Dr. Cheluget was speaking not only in his capacity as High
Commissioner of his country in Zambia but also as observer of the
elections on behalf of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA).

“The test will come after tomorrow if indeed Zambia is a peaceful
Nation,” he admonished. As regards the September 20 Zambian elections
Dr. Cheluget observed that the Electoral Commission of Zambia have
been very transparent in their work from the time of printing of the
ballots up to the time the ballots were transported into the country.

“They have been very open and have shown that they have no hidden
agenda,” he said.

For many years Zambia has been known to be the haven of peace. He
emphasized that it was important for Zambia to remain peaceful but the
peace that it enjoys, must not be taken for granted because no one
wanted to see what happened in Kenya to happen in Zambia.

“We thought in Kenya we had peace because we took it for granted, but
for as long as we keep preaching peace but people are hungry that does
not inspire confidence in the people,” Dr. Cheluget declared.

And a Kenyan citizen working for the Social Development Network
(SODNET) says that elections are no longer about Electoral Commission,
or the Police or the NGOs or the observers but that they are about the
citizens of a country who are the major stakeholders.

Phillip Thigo states that the threshold on whether the elections are
‘free and fair’ lies in the citizens and no longer with NGOs or
observers and this is what brings tension when they (the citizens) see
what happens [is not in accordance with the law.

Church bodies in Zambia have in recent weeks been praying to God for
his intervention, as they went to the polls, so that peace may prevail
in the aftermath of September 20 elections.

‘EARLY BIRDS’ snatch morning glory on Election Day

bantuwatch2010 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:31:49 +0000

By Sally Chiwama

It sounds unbelievable that people can abandon the comfort of their
beds just to go and spend a night at the polling station. But this
happened on September 20 as some voters flocked to their polling
stations in the early hours of the day so that they could be first in
line and have the glory of casting their votes first.

In some places Zambian voters eager to vote on 20 September started
gathering at polling stations as early as mid-night.

This was in spite of the fact according to the electoral laws of
Zambia polling stations countrywide were mandated to open their doors
to voters only at 06:00 Hours.

But though voters got to polling stations early many were disappointed
to find that Electoral Commission of Zambia officials handling the
elections could not start on time due to what they described as
“logistical problems”.

At Chelston Basic School, for example, the polling station opened in
time but less than a kilometer away to the east of this school – at
Chainda Basic School, the polling station only opened at 08:40am.
Other polling stations that opened late include Ngwerere and Kamulanga
High School.

“I came here as early as 04:15 because I wanted to exercise my right
to vote early, ” Joyce Siayachitaye, recalled adding that for security
reasons she had to be escorted to the polling station by her grown
son.

And Donald Matengula said he arrived at Chainda Basic at 03:00 hours
because he wanted to be first to cast his vote.

“ I am not happy, Madam, because I came here at 03:00 hrs but up to
now, it’s 08:30 hours, and I have not voted,” he grumbled. “How can
they bring ballot boxes without lids? ” An angry Matengula wondered.

The reasons for opening late varied from station to station. In some
cases it was due to ballot papers being delivered late while in many
cases polling boxes had no lids. This was the reason for opening late
at Chainda High, where the presidential ballot box had no lid.

In Lilanda (Matero constituency) voters rioted because the polling
stations there opened late and people were angry and frustrated by the
waiting. Later in the day the situation in Lilanda stabilised and
police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana, reported it as being calm and
that voters had begun to vote normally.

ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna, later explained that the
reasons for some polling stations opening late were surprising because
an earlier arrangement was for polling officials to spend nights at
their polling stations so that on polling day they would be ready to
start work on time.

First Republican president, Kenneth Kaunda, described the vote as
being ‘very important’ and that it maintained decency that must be
witnessed by the whole world.

Voters condemn liquor as a ‘public nuisance’

bantuwatch2010 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:28:35 +0000

By Sally Chiwama

When Inspector-General of Zambia Police, Francis Kabonde, recently
banned the sale of cane spirits known as ‘Tujili-jili’, and which are
normally sold in small sachets that hold a tot or two, there was great
jubilation among most voters who had feared that with so much
intoxicating spirits on the streets confusion can easily occur on
election day.

Tujili-jili have been condemned by law abiding citizens before but
this is the first time that government has stepped out and taken
action against the offensive drink.

Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs Director, Chibamba Kanyama, also
announced the company’s temporal stoppage of beer sales saying ‘if
left unregulated they can be a recipe for violence.’

Many voters observed that alcohol consumption among the youth is rife
and are worried that if left unchecked, the overwhelming presence of
Tujilijili could be a recipe for violence, before, during and after
the elections.

The Zambia Police and several representatives from political parties
have in the recent past requested the government to consider banning
Tujilijili (beer satchets) especially during this campaign period.

During an interactive meeting for the police, political party
representatives, the church and other stakeholders in Lusaka recently,
the participants urged the government through the Ministry of local
Government to work closely with Zambia Police in curbing illegal
liquor trading and careless consumption of alcohol especially among the youths.

They observed that alcohol consumption among the youths is rife and
are worried that if left unchecked, the overwhelming presence of
Tujilijili could be a recipe for violence, before, during and after
the elections.

And Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Solomon Jere, said there was
therefore need to control the sale and consumption of all sorts of
alcohol as one of the preventive measures against violence.

“I wish to call upon the Ministry of local Government and Housing to
strictly enforce laws on sale and consumption of alcohol as this has
been identified as one of the recipes for violence,” Dr Jere said.

He had appealed to members of the public to report all cases of
political violence to Police on the toll free numbers, 9010 and 9011
to enable them resolve election conflicts expeditiously.

Dr Jere further said police have identified areas of possible outbreak
of violence such Lusaka, and Copperbelt but said that police were
ready to quell any violence that may erupt in all parts of the
country.

“We have identified areas of possible outbreak of violence in Lusaka,
and Copperbelt but I want to say here that as Police we are ready to
face any penetrators of such violence with full force,” Dr Jere
warned.

The 2011 tripartite elections have seen an increased number of youths
registering to vote for the first time and ironically most consumers
of Tujilijili are the youth themselves.

More Zambians vote in 2011

bantuwatch2010 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:22:30 +0000

By Lwanga Mwilu

This year’s national elections revealed a resurgence in voting
interest among citizens with long queues forming as early as 4 am in
different polling stations around Lusaka. There was also a significant
presence of first time voters.

One of the voters, Aka Ketani, said he was voting because he had a
responsibility as a citizen to do so.

“I have a democratic right to choose my leaders and I have chosen to
exercise that right. As a young Zambian I also have a responsibility
to ensure that my country is going in the right direction,” he said.
Ketani said he was happy that he had an opportunity of having his
voice heard through his vote.

Another voter who sought anonymity said she was only voting as a
formality. “Knowing this country, I already know who will win so even
queuing here is just a waste of time, a mere formality. I’m just
voting because I feel that I still owe it to myself and my young
children to do so otherwise I’m not expecting any difference at all,”
she said.

Tamara Ngozi, was one of the people who did not vote. Ngozi said she
had not even verified her voter details because she had already made
up her mind that she would not vote.
“I decided not to vote because I felt let down after the pact between
PF and UPND broke down. I thought that was our one real chance for
change but when it failed, there were no more options left for me so I
gave up on the whole voting thing,” she said.

Ngozi said there is no point in going to vote when you had no
preferred candidate from the ones contesting. “The opposition has let
me down and none of them individually deserve my vote.”

Charles Daka of Bauleni said he had stayed away from voting because he
could not travel back to Kabwe where he had registered.

“I have no transport money to go back to Kabwe to vote. I don’t even
think it’s worth my time and effort because results in Zambia are
always the same. No matter how much you vote, MMD always wins so I
think whether I vote or not the result is the same,” he said.
Daka said he had not transferred his voting details to Lusaka because
he is still a Kabwe resident who is only in Lusaka temporarily for a
job contract.

“In the past we used to vote for KK against a frog and it has become
the same thing again because MMD will not allow another party to come
in no matter how many votes they get.”