Zambians shouldn’t trust Rupiah over elections - Tilyenji

Zambians shouldn’t trust Rupiah over elections - Tilyenji
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 30 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT

ZAMBIANS should not trust President Rupiah Banda’s self-perceived goodwill on ensuring free and fair elections next year, says Tilyenji Kaunda. Tilyenji’s remarks come in the wake of Change Life Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya’s call for the overhaul of the country’s electoral Act.

Tilyenji, the UNIP leader, said President Banda should desist from promising Zambians a free and fair election when the country’s electoral process thrived on a flawed Act.

Tilyenji said Zambians could not risk trusting an individual who merely wanted to gain political mileage and yet citizens had the right to amend and strengthen electoral laws and relevant institutions.

“We will only trust President Banda’s promise if the necessary and particular amendments to the electoral Act that Zambians want amended are dealt with. We don’t care who is voted into power next year but what is important is that the elections are transparent,” Tilyenji said.

He challenged President Banda to prove his commitment to upholding democratic principles by facilitating for the amendment of the contentious laws pertaining to elections, most of which have been thrown out of the current NCC draft constitution.

Kaunda said Zambians were not going to be deceived by his empty promises and that MMD must show its accountability to the people by acting responsibly over the demands.

“We cannot trust President Banda when he controls the institutions that handle elections. He is in charge, we can’t trust him. We will not depend on the heart or goodwill of one man but in proper laws and systems. You see what has happened over the years, Zambians trusted MMD but it has breached the trust of the people by cheating voters on many issues. This is why this government is so adamant to ensure the country does not hold free and fare elections, because they don’t feel accountable,” Kaunda said.

He urged Zambians to ensure the country’s democracy and peace was guarded jealously.

Kaunda, however, cautioned Zambians to uphold peace even as they demand transparent and free elections next year.

“Let’s pray for peace and let’s act according to the law, but most importantly let’s guard our electoral process. President Banda must respect the wishes of Zambians. He should implement what Zambians are asking for,” Kaunda said.

“It’s important that a loser knows he has lost and the victor knows he has won and we can only know that if we have proper a proper electoral Act to govern the country’s electoral process.”