Maravi

People are disappointed with non-performing MPs, says Chama North UNIP candidate

People are disappointed with non-performing MPs, says Chama North UNIP candidate
By Christopher Miti, Edwin Mbulo and Moses Kuwema
Fri 06 July 2012, 13:21 CAT

UNIP candidate in the Chama North by-election Herbert Zimba says the low voter turnout which characterised most polling stations is a sign that people are disappointed with non-performing members of parliament.

And in Muchinga's Kanona polling station some voters stayed out because of marauding lions. In an interview after voting at about 09:10 hours, Zimba said a lot of people in Chama were disappointed with the previous members of parliament.

He said the people of Chama should not lose hope because he was ready to work together with them.

MMD's Yotam Mtayachalo who voted at about 08:05 hours said it was nice for him to vote for himself.

He said the polls were marred with apathy because people were harvesting.
Immediate past member of parliament Darious Mumba cast his vote at Chama Day High School at around 07:43 hours.

By press time, PF's January Zimba was checking in various polling stations on how people were voting.
Zimba said going by how he had campaigned, victory was certain.

Final results for the Chama North by-election are expected between 06:00 hours and 12 hours today.

In Livingstone, the voting started on a low note.

By 11:58, only 230 people out of 1,064 registered voters at Livingstone Day Basic School polling station had voted.

More voters were expected in the afternoon.

And Miriam Phiri Nalucha said the turnout at Victoria Hall was low and hoped it would pick up by afternoon.

PF candidate Joseph Akafumba had expressed confidence he would scoop the Livingstone seat after casting his vote.

The UPND fielded Reverend Howard Sikwela while Zhodwayo Soko, Steven Zulu and Joseph Mwanza contested as independent candidates.

Meanwhile, police on Wednesday night fired teargas to disperse suspected PF and UPND youths that had gathered along Lusaka Road and engaged in verbal skirmishes.

Livingstone electoral officer Vivian Chikoti called on the police to arrest anyone intent on causing anarchy.

"I want to strongly appeal to all players political parties to follow the electoral code of conduct and not act outside the rules and regulations. We want to have a free and fair election but when they start to act outside the box, the elections may not be free and fair," Chikoti said.

On a report by PF that UPND cadres were arrested in Dambwa after being found giving out money to voters, Chikoti said she had not received the report and promised to follow it up with the police.

Southern Province police commissioner Brenda Muntemba said the proximity of the command posts could have led to the confrontation between the UPND and the PF on Wednesday night.

"I will spend the night here and pray that we have a peaceful election. I'm putting my officers on the streets so that they can control the situation," she said.

In Serenje, a check at Kanona basic school, a polling station, which has about over 500 voters, yesterday revealed that only 234 voters had turned up as of 16:00 hours.

But the Zambia Wildlife Authority officials who did not want to be named described the reports as mere rumours.

However, the villagers said they saw the two beasts in the area.

Other polling stations in the area witnessed a low voter turnout.

In Chibale area, by 09:00 hours, very few people had turned up to vote at most polling stations which are far apart.

Labels: UNIP

posted by MrK @ 11:38 PM