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AVAP urges Zambians to be alert about rigging

AVAP urges Zambians to be alert about rigging
By Patson Chilemba
Mon 07 Feb. 2011, 03:59 CAT

ZAMBIANS should be alert and ensure that the 2011 general elections are not rigged by the MMD government, says Bonnie Tembo.

In an interview, Tembo, who is Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) executive director, said he concurred with lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe that President Banda’s government was preparing the minds of Zambians to reject the outcome of this year’s election results through its conduct.

He said people like information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwaska and works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti should not defend the government against assertions of rigging.

Tembo said it was true that all the general elections which had been conducted from 1996 were rigged by the MMD government.

“I have a document which has got results which were coincidental in the 1996 elections for example. For instance, in Shiwang’andu and Isoka East, Frederick Chiluba had 5,949 votes, while Chama Chakomboka had 281 in both constituencies. The same applied for Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika who had 63 votes in both constituencies,” Tembo said.

“Humphrey Mulemba had 100 in the same two constituencies. In Chipata-Central and Luangeni Chiluba had 7,720, Chama Chakomboka in those same two constituencies had 214, Mulemba 368, Lewanika 465, Dean Mung’omba 2,169.”

Tembo said in Malole and Lukashya constituencies Chiluba had 8,953, the late Chakomboka 681, Aka 82, Mulemba 290 and late Mung’omba 444.

“When you talk about rigging, is this not rigging? We must learn lessons from the 1996 elections,” he said.

Tembo said he hoped a person of integrity who could not be manipulated would be appointed Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson unlike the sad 1996 experience where someone was appointed chairperson three weeks before the elections.

“Zambians must be alert. All Zambians who want to see free and fair elections should monitor the election process,” said Tembo.

Labels: AVAP, BONNIE TEMBO

posted by MrK @ 4:21 AM