There'll always be transparency in PF's electoral process - Chali
By Isaac Zulu in Kabwe
Mon 20 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
THERE will always be transparency in the electoral adoption process in the Patriotic Front, says PF Central Province chairman Benson Chali.
Briefing the press in Kabwe on Friday afternoon after the PF Central Province executive committee interviewed aspiring candidates for the Katuba and Mkushi South parliamentary by-elections scheduled for February 25, Chali said the adoption process for the two seats had been transparent.
"The adoption process started at constituency level and we are now at provincial level. At this stage we have been assessing the aspiring candidates with a view to forwarding the names of the said candidates to the central committee. And I wish to state that at this stage, all aspiring candidates are eligible," he said.
"Throughout the adoption process we have ensured that there's transparency. You have seen for yourself the adoption process has been as transparent as possible. And there will always be transparency in the electoral adoption process in the Patriotic Front. We believe in democracy and transparency is cardinal in this respect."
And Chali has expressed optimism that the ruling party would scoop the two seats in next month's by-elections.
"We have interviewed 11 aspiring candidates for Katuba Constituency and all of them were articulate and I can confidently say that they are credible candidates," he said, without naming the candidates.
"For Mkushi South, we only had one aspiring candidate Davies Chisopa and that is the person we are going to field. I wish to state also that there were five ward councillors in Mkushi South that defected from the MMD and joined the PF. We are fielding these councillors...I am pretty sure that we are scooping the Mkushi South parliamentary seat. We have a credible candidate who can easily pull through. Similarly, looking at the aspiring candidates that we have in Katuba, I have no doubt at the back of my mind that we are taking the Katuba parliamentary seat."
Chali said all the PF aspiring candidates in constituencies where by-elections would take place would be subjected to further scrutiny by the PF central committee.
He added that PF aspiring candidates in Katuba Constituency had pledged to rally behind any individual that would be adopted by the ruling party's central committee.
"Like I said, they are all credible candidates," said Chali.
"But only one individual will be picked. What is gratifying is the fact that all aspiring candidates in Katuba Constituency have agreed to rally behind whoever will be finally adopted by the PF central committee."
PF's Chisopa had petitioned the election of MMD's Sydney Chisanga as Mkushi South member of parliament in the courts of law that resulted in the nullification of the Mkushi South parliamentary seat while the Katuba seat fell vacant following the death of MMD's Dr Patrick Chikusu.
Three women and eight men have applied to stand on the PF ticket in Katuba Constituency.
Labels: BENSON CHALI
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Kunda can't add value to PF - Chali
By Isaac Zulu in Kabwe
Wed 03 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
HOWARD Kunda cannot add any value to Patriotic Front, says Central Province PF chairman Benson Chali.
And Central Province PF treasurer Louis Chikoka says Kunda is not a factor in Zambian politics.
Commenting on Kunda's statement that he would only join the ruling PF if he were given the position of Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Chali said the PF would only give positions to politicians that would add value to the ruling party.
"We recently had two by-elections in his constituency, namely Chibale and Masaninga wards, and Howard Kunda and his MMD performed badly in those by-elections," explained Chali. "That shows you that he is a politician without value. The PF can only give positions to politicians that will come and add value to the Patriotic Front. But Howard Kunda cannot add value to the PF. Even at ward level, the PF would beat him."
And Chikoka said that Howard was not a factor in Zambian politics.
"Who does Howard Kunda think he is?" wondered Chikoka in an interview. "Howard Kunda is not a factor in Zambian politics. He won the Muchinga Constituency seat through a sympathy vote."
Chikoka advised Kunda not to ride on his late father's fortunes.
"He thinks just because his late father was vice-president, then he can also become vice-president of the Republic of Zambia!" Chikoka said. "This is not a monarchy. If he thinks this country is a chiefdom, then he is dreaming."
He said Kunda needed orientation in politics.
"This young man needs extra lessons in politics. He needs orientation in this field…he needs to be trained," Chikoka said. "And I would suggest that he picks on 'Bowas' Bowman Lusambo as his coach in politics. Lusambo will show him how we do politics."
Kunda recently stated on a privately-owned radio station that he would only defect from MMD to join PF on condition that he is given the position of Republican Vice-President because he was "beyond a deputy minister."
Labels: BENSON CHALI, HOWARD KUNDA, PF
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PF will perform beyond expectations - Chumbwe
By Roy Habaalu
Fri 12 Oct. 2012, 14:00 CAT
LUSAKA Province Patriotic Front chairperson Geoffrey Chumbwe says the ruling party has settled down and is ready to develop Zambia.
And PF Central Province chairman Benson Chali says people had only seen a tip of the iceberg in terms of performance of the ruling party in the one year it has been in office.
The PF marked a year in office on September 22, 2012 after defeating the MMD in last year's general elections.
In an interview, Chumbwe said the party was organising itself and clearing the way for development.
He said the 90-day theory had given direction on how the PF would govern the country.
"There is no way you can build a country like Zambia in 90 days at least we have given direction and people should watch the space and see where we are going. After five years, this country won't be the same again and Zambians will be proud to be called Zambians because the PF is going to perform wonders beyond their expectations," Chumbwe said.
He said under the MMD, Zambia was known as a haven of thieves, adding that at that time, it was embarrassing and humiliating for people to associate themselves with the country.
"When MMD was in power, I went to the United Kingdom and at the airport an old Indian driver gave me a lift and asked me where I was coming from. I said I was from Zambia Then he said 'Oh, you're from that country where you've a president who is a thief'. That was the time when late president Chiluba was appearing in court for corruption offences," he said.
Chumbwe said it might take long for people to appreciate the government's efforts to develop the country because the country had ground to a halt under MMD.
"Even some ministers and permanent secretaries, we still have civil servants who are still MMD; until we are very sure and clear all MMD cobwebs from the system, we can say we are now working but for now we're still cleaning up the mess that the MMD left," Chumbwe said.
He said civil servants retarding the government's progress had been identified and warned that all MMD sympathisers would be dealt with the moment they were discovered.
And Chali said Zambia was set for a turn-around because it had a pro-poor President.
He said President Michael Sata was an experienced leader who wanted to improve the living standards of the poor.
"The difference between Michael and other leaders is that he doesn't look at the higher class but wants to bring the lower class to a level where they feel proud of being Zambians," Chali said.
He said if all people decided to work hard together, Zambia would prosper.
"People should ask themselves - we've made mistakes alright - but what if we gave Rupiah Banda another five years, what would have happened?
We would have been talking about Zambia sold to foreigners but at least today we're there and things are stabilising. So it's just the start of the game. People should expect much more from the government," said Chali in an interview.
Labels: BENSON CHALI, GEOFFREY CHUMBWE, PF
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