It's my statement - KK

It's my statement - KK
By Brighton Phiri
Sat 17 Sep. 2011, 13:55 CAT

DR KENNETH Kaunda yesterday came out to confirm that he issued the statement calling for peace in the country ahead of next Tuesday's general elections.

Reacting to his chief of staff Goodwin Mfula's denial that the statement did not come from the Office of the First Republican President, Dr Kaunda said he issued the statement in good faith.

"I am profoundly saddened that my office chose to deny in the media a statement that I issued in good faith and with the best of intentions," said Dr. Kaunda. "I wish to confirm that this is my statement and I thereby reiterate its full content."

Dr Kaunda said his statement called for peace, which he said was a duty incumbent upon him as a citizen and former head of state.

He reminded the nation that his message calling for peace had been carried on billboards, radio and television.

Dr Kaunda said his office issued a statement of denial without consulting him.

"In denying my genuine statement without consulting me, my office acted in an unfortunate manner which resulted in unwarranted attacks on innocent people and which I deeply regret," Dr. Kaunda said.

In his statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Kaunda appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to listen to people's concerns over the corruption of United Print Group (UPG), a South African company engaged to print ballot papers for next week's general elections.

Dr Kaunda, who is first Republican president and has been engaged by ECZ to promote peaceful elections, said the Commission's silence on the matter threatened the country's peace and stability.

"The revelation that the printing company selected to print ballot papers for next week's elections has been involved in acts of corruption with Electoral Commission of Zambia officers is a grave indictment on the election process that is currently being facilitated by the Commission.

This, in itself, threatens the peace and stability of our country because it undermines the credibility of our electoral process in the eyes of our people," Dr Kaunda said.

"It breeds justifiable suspicions of possible collusion and electoral malpractices that may lead to the election results not being accepted by both the losers and the winners. Already warnings are being issued of possible election rigging. It is therefore in all our interests that the Electoral Commission of Zambia rises to the challenge and deal with the complications that have been created by the revelations of the character of the company chosen to print our ballot papers to the reasonable satisfaction of all key political players. Ignoring such a serious problem may prove to be a naïve and costly mistake that our country cannot afford."

Dr Kaunda said it was important that ECZ officials call for an immediate meeting with stakeholders to deal with the problem.

He said in any election, the most important thing to respect was the will of the people.

"I call upon the Electoral Commission of Zambia, on whose behalf I have advocated for peace, to act in a way that makes the preservation of peace possible regardless of the outcome of these elections. This will require that they urgently sit with all the key political players, including the church, to ensure that this problem is resolved in the best way possible for our country," Dr Kaunda said.

"Such an approach will ensure that as we go to vote next week, all our people will have reason to believe that their concerns have been dealt with. Let the will and the interests of the people prevail without let or hindrance so that Zambia can maintain its historic reputation as an Oasis of peace and tranquility."

Dr Kaunda said in order to have free and fair elections, certain conditions had to prevail that would satisfy every participant. He said there ought to be transparency in the conduct of any election so that the outcome satisfied everyone.

"To have peaceful, free and fair elections, certain conditions have to prevail in our country and in our minds and hearts. There ought to be a conducive atmosphere. The major political players have to agree on the conditions under which next week's elections would be held," Dr Kaunda said.

"The contestants have to conduct themselves in a manner that puts others at an unfair disadvantage. There ought to be transparency in the organization and conduct of the election."