Maravi

Musenge implores Mpombo, Magande to avert by-elections

Musenge implores Mpombo, Magande to avert by-elections
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Mon 13 Sep. 2010, 14:00 CAT

NKANA Patriotic Front parliamentarian Mwenya Musenge has pleaded with the two expelled MMD members of parliament Ng’andu Magande and George Mpombo to find a way of preventing by-elections in their respective constituencies following their expulsion from MMD.

And Musenge has accused the MMD of insincerity by promoting costly and avoidable by-elections when the same party denounced Charles Milupi for causing a by-election in Luena.

Commenting on the stance by Magande not to contest his expulsion from the party, Musenge said he applauded the decision by Magande and described the move as most honourable but that there was a way the misuse of resources through by-elections could be avoided.

“When Milupi resigned, MMD was going round saying Milupi was an irresponsible person who had caused an unnecessary by-elections, but MMD with Rupiah’s instigation have expelled the two MPs knowing too well that this will call for unwarranted elections, this shows how irresponsible Rupiah and his government are,” he said.

Musenge wondered why MMD could not have waited for the general elections if they were a responsible government.

He said holding three by-elections a few months before the general elections would have a serious effect on the country’s meagre resources.

He said experience had shown that billions of kwacha was spent in by-elections in Zambia.

Musenge said the Electoral Commission of Zambia would also demand for colossal sums of money in order to organise elections which was also a drain on the country’s coffers.

He said taxpayers suffered the most under the circumstances because their monies were spent in a “foolish manner”.

“So much as I agree with honourable Magande not to contest his expulsion which is more honorable, but I appeal to my two colleagues to find a way of stopping these by-elections to save resources, we know we are dealing with an irresponsible government because right now my people in Nkana Constituency have resorted to demonstrations over the poor state of roads and yet these guys will hastily look for money to waste in avoidable elections when they say there is no money for roads,” said Musenge.

Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, GEORGE MPOMBO, MMD, MWENYA MUSENGE, NG'ANDU MAGANDE

posted by MrK @ 6:13 AM