Maravi

Rupiah is scheming against free polls, warns Hansungule

Rupiah is scheming against free polls, warns Hansungule
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 04 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda’s government has schemed against free and fair elections slated for this year, says Professor Michelo Hansungule. Commenting on the hounding out of justice Florence Mumba from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairmanship, the Pretoria University law lecturer said President Banda has a lot to explain on the matter.

“President Banda must not be allowed to escape this one scot-free. It is not enough for him to conveniently say ‘I reluctantly accept justice Mumba’s resignation’.

Justice Mumba’s removal from the ECZ could be part of a grand scheme to avoid free, fair and credible elections this year,” Prof Hansungule said.

“President Banda must explain what happened at the Electoral Commission? Why did he allow government newspapers to be used by his cadres to throw mud at Justice Mumba, his own appointee? President Banda has some explanation to do to protect the integrity of the judiciary, assure the credibility of the forthcoming elections and protect the integrity of justice Florence Mumba.”

Prof Hansungule said national and international election observers should note the event with keen interest.

He said it was terrible that the government unleashed ignorant and ruthless ECZ workers on an innocent person.

“These are people who do not even have an idea about the extent of their compounds where they live.

They don’t know, for example, why Chilenje compound has that name,” said Prof Hansungule.

“The President never called on these hooligans to stop it. This is someone the President himself appointed to the Commission but could not protect, of course, because he was the one who unleashed the stone-throwers against the judge.”

Prof Hansungule said judges should avoid political appointments outside their profession to avoid abuse from the executive.

He said taking up such appointments was a serious risk to the legal profession.

“It may be insensitive of me but I blame judges themselves for their quandary.

When the President calls and asks you to serve in a particular capacity, why do they answer the telephone? The President will one day appear before them as accused, so why accept temporary insecure appointments politicians use to divide and rule the noble profession?” said Prof Hansungule. “Besides, is it lawful for a judge who has sworn to God and the Constitution to serve the judiciary for life at the same time to be part of the executive branch? Where does this leave the principle of separation of powers?”

Labels: FLORENCE MUMBA, MICHELO HANSUNGULE, VOTERIGGING

posted by MrK @ 3:49 AM