Maravi

MMD neglected me, says Kapiji

MMD neglected me, says Kapiji
By Chibaula Silwamba in Mpika
Friday October 17, 2008 [04:00]

LOSING MMD Kanchibiya parliamentary candidate Judith Kapijimpanga has complained that MMD parliamentarians neglected her during the election campaigns. And newly-elected Patriotic Front (PF) member of parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency Davies Mwango said his victory is an indication that PF leader Michael Sata will win the presidential election on October 30.

In an interview yesterday, Kapijimpanga said the results of the Kanchibiya parliamentary by-election were shocking but conceded defeat and pledged to help Mwango with ideas on how to develop the constituency.

"The outcome of the elections is quite shocking to me because the response I got during my campaign trail was completely different from the results," Kapijimpanga said. "I have conceded defeat but I would like to outline that this is one of the quiet MMD by-election we have ever had from the time I went into politics...the most quiet in the sense that there was no MMD backup."

Kapijimpanga observed that Sata and his parliamentarians had camped in Kanchibiya to campaign for Mwango.

"But there was no MMD member of parliament in the constituency so I was literally alone until the last three days before polling day. I actually feel neglected by my fellow members of parliament," Kapijimpanga complained.

Asked if she could foresee the same voting pattern in the forthcoming presidential polls, Kapijimpanga said the MMD had to campaign hard to avoid a loss.

She said she would stay on to campaign for MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda.

"Sata made sure he was everywhere in Kanchibiya, he was campaigning like he was a candidate contesting," Kapijimpanga said. "So, maybe, if there is a repeat of the same, it could lead to the same type of results but now that he is done with Kanchibiya, I don't think he will come back and camp in a manner which he did...but if we work hard ourselves...I am staying on to campaign for our candidate and my party and I hope people will realise that it's the government in power that provides money for the projects."

Kapijimpanga dismissed insinuations that she had collapsed upon hearing that she had lost.

"I never collapsed. That is a lie," said Kapijimpanga amid laughter.

Asked about reports that she had withdrawn about K250 million from the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB) Mpika branch to finance her campaign, causing the bank to struggle to pay other clients, Kapijimpanga laughed but did not dismiss the report.

"I am not going to make any comment on that laughs. In a campaign you need money so a lot of money is used. I won't go into that matter," said Kapijimpanga as she continually laughed.
And after being declared duly elected member of parliament, Mwango declared that a wind of change had come.

"It's time to change. My victory is a litmus test that Sata will win elections," Mwango said. "I would like to thank the people of Kanchibiya for this honour. It means a lot of things that can't be expressed in words. I am so happy. The people have spoken."

Mwango appealed to the losing candidates to join him to develop Kanchibiya.

"MMD and UPND are welcome on board; whatever ideas they have for Kanchibiya they must bring them forward to me. Time of campaign is over, people have spoken, and we must work together now," he said.
However, Mwango accused the MMD and Kapijimpanga of electoral malpractices during the campaign period.

"The MMD had put in about K1.7 billion to bribe people to vote for them. We have evidence which we can produce, some people have cheques, see this one," said Mwango while pointing to a cheque leaf alleged to have been issued and signed by Kapijimpanga to Mansha East Community School. "They also bought blankets, bicycles and other goods which they were distributing to voters. In fact, some MMD cadres were arrested and detained at Kasama police for buying voters' cadres in Kanchibiya."

Mwango pledged to improve the road network, school facilities, clean water supply and health facilities in his constituency.
"I would urge the government to share national resources equally and not discriminate areas with opposition parliamentarians," said Mwango.

Mwango polled 5,508 votes, 3,269 votes more than his close rival Kapijimpanga who got 2,239 votes.

Independent candidate Selicious Mukate came third with 662 votes while UPND's Emmanuel Mulenga polled 62 votes.

Kanchibiya Constituency has 20,722 registered voters but only 8,607 people cast their vote in the Tuesday by-election.

Returning officer for the Kanchibiya parliamentary by-election, Daniel Nkondwa announced the results at about 04:16 hours. People had waited for the results since Tuesday night.

Mpika electoral officer Gilbert Bwembya said the delay was because drivers who had been assigned to pick ballot boxes from four polling stations in Chundaponde area, situated about 130 kilometres from the town, had by-passed the polling stations.

"The ballot boxes from Lulimala, Ngweshi, Mwendachabi and Kapilya polling stations were brought about 01:00 hours and 02:00 hours this morning," said Bwembya. "All in all, there was voter apathy in this election because out of the 20,722 registered voters, only 8,607 people voted."

Labels: JUDITH KAPIJIMPANGA, MMD

posted by MrK @ 3:56 AM