There will always be complaints when there are elections – Banda

There will always be complaints when there are elections – Banda
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:20:37 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday observed that there will always be complaints when there are elections because some groups are happy while others are unhappy with the electoral outcome.

Speaking at State House in Lusaka after he swore in Minerva Tembo as a commissioner
at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) among others, President Banda said the electoral commission was very important.

"It's one of the reasons why Zambia is different from any other country around us. We attach great importance to the electoral commission and the work that you do," President Banda said.

"Of course there will always be complaints when we have elections; certain groups will be happy like we are happy with what we got in Serenje [in Chitambo constituency], the others who lost are not happy. But unlike them, we are not saying anything about where we lost because we believe that the electoral commission is fair to all of us. If I wanted to manipulate anything I would, in the 16 seats that were taken away from us in the last election by the opposition but it's theirs."

He admitted that people preferred the opposition political parties in the 16 wards where the governing MMD lost during the August 13 local government elections.

"As long as we have a free and fair electoral commission, the country has a hope to grow into a stronger and wealthier country in the future," President Banda said.

President Banda also told Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, who was present at the ceremony that all Zambians depended on the Judiciary's integrity to keep the country moving forward and develop.

"I want to congratulate you all for qualifying to the positions that you have acquired in the Judiciary today," he said.

President Banda expressed happiness with Hildah Chibomba's ascendancy to the position of judge of the Supreme Court, especially that she was female.

"We have always been looking for qualified ladies to fill the positions, so that we can achieve the gender balance which we all crave for so much," he said.

President Banda said he had known Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota - who he swore in as state counsel together with Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga - for a long time and he was a good lawyer.

"Sorry to embarrass you but I stayed with you in your home in Paris [France] when you were young, I was a good friend of your late father," President Banda said.

And President Banda later held a meeting with High Commissioners and Ambassadors from African countries accredited to Zambia at State House.