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Current electoral law leaves room for manipulation – HH

Current electoral law leaves room for manipulation – HH
Written by Noel Sichalwe
Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:45:29 PM

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said the current electoral law leaves a lot of room for political interference from the ruling party.

Addressing the press yesterday, Hichilema said the current electoral law also left room for the manipulation of the electoral process, including pilferage of votes.

"I want to acknowledge the efforts of the Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson, Justice Florence Mumba made in facilitating the just-ended elections held under difficult political conditions," he said.

"We say so because we are fully aware that the current electoral law leaves a lot of room for political interference from the ruling party and also leaves room for manipulation of the electoral process including pilferage of votes. We are alive to the fact that the human abilities alone cannot suffice in a tension-prone process if the law is not adequate to curb arbitral abuse of power by the government.

"We however wish to state that the Electoral Commission of Zambia's conduct and handling of the just-ended elections leaves a lot to be desired. There are a lot of glaring incidences bordering on sheer negligence and recklessness by the Commission. Instances such as the attempted theft of ballot papers at the Airport can only be described as provocative in nature and designed in the style to undermine the confidence the people of Zambia have in the Electoral Commission."

Hichilema said the effect of the just-ended elections had rejuvenated the party's demand that by 2009, Zambians should have a new constitution through the current National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

He said the constitution should pave way for the enactment of an electoral Act that will promote truly free and fair democratic elections. He said free and fair elections were free of bribery, corruption, coercion and manipulation of the electoral process.

Hichilema said the media should also act in an impartial, fair and balanced manner in order to allow citizens make an informed choice. However, he said UPND would fight on and reiterated his personal commitment, dedication and resolve to soldier on.

Hichilema said there was so much at stake to relent and that the victory for the Zambian people was in sight. He said working together with Zambians, UPND would deliver economic and social freedom.

"The just-ended elections have strengthened our resolve to fight for a better Zambia. 2011 is round the corner and the people of Zambia will have another opportunity to exercise their right to choose a leadership that answers the call of the moment, economic and social freedom. We recognise and appreciate those people who have already endorsed us for 2011 and for you, we say we are humbled and we would like to assure you that we will put in our very best," he said.

He said following the announcement of the national results, they had raised issues of great concern with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), which if not acted upon, would continue to undermine the overall integrity of the electoral process and threaten the growth of democracy in the country.

Hichilema said they expected a quick response from ECZ on various issues raised.
He said UPND was concerned about the admission of undersigned results sheets from constituencies. He said this raised a lot of suspicions and that it should be readdressed in future.

He said the lack of continuous voter registration exercise was a breach of the Electoral Act. Hichilema said it was clear that a lot of people were not on the voters roll and could not vote on October 30.

"The electoral Act that disenfranchises so many of the citizens is a direct negation of democracy. Many Zambians are denied the right to elect or vote for a leader of their choice. We demand that ECZ should comply and fulfill their legal mandate of continuing registering voters," he said.

Hichilema also said there was lack of balanced coverage by the media especially public media where everyone was a stakeholder and had the right to enjoy equal access.

He said the general apathy experienced during elections was mainly due to the fact that people's growing disillusionment with politics arising out of bad governance and poor service delivery.

Hichilema said politics should never be treated as a game but rather a serious business which dealt with people. He said the electoral system should allow the people to cast their votes wherever they might be found at the time of voting.

He further said there was rampant abuse of public resources by the MMD, which amounted to abuse of office. Hichilema thanked people that attended his rallies, those who voted for him and the donor community who funded the elections.

Hichilema said a truly democratic Zambia was the sure foundation for an economically and socially liberated Zambia.

Labels: ECZ, ELECTIONS, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

posted by MrK @ 4:47 PM