Appointing a UPND stooge to ECZ is an assault on democracy – GBM
….HH is daring Zambians
Lusaka, 24.11.2022
Patriotic Front, PF, aspirant for the party‘s top position, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, GBM, has described as a blatant assault on democracy and an insult to the collective wisdom of the Zambian people the appointment of a well-known UPND stooge, McDonald Chipenzi, as Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, ECZ.
Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema is daring the Zambian people by openly desecrating the country’s democratic credentials, an act that has been well noted and likely to sow seeds of despondency among voters.
The former Kasama lawmaker says he is at great pains to understand how the President can proceed with such an appointment when Chipenzi is an active member of the ruling party. He wonders again why the President thinks Zambians are going to sit idly by watching him walk all over the democracy they fought for so hard.
“This guy, Chipenzi, was all over the Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies ensuring that UPND bent every rule in the book to disadvantage PF with the assistance of ECZ. This is the guy you give the Zambian people to preside over an institution which is the nerve center and heartbeat of electoral democracy”. Mr. Mwamba wonders.
The former Defense Minister has called on Zambians, civil society, and Members of Parliament to reject Chipenzi’s appointment and use every legal means available to block the ratification of his name.
Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema has gone too far in his open contempt for the will of the Zambian and the country’s democratic institutions. He says he must be made to understand that the people and not him hold real power and authority by sending Chpenzi’s name to his desk.
“If you feel so indebted to Chipenzi”, Mr. Mwamba tells Mr. Hichilema, “Why can’t you appoint him to many other positions that have no implication for democracy?”
The veteran politician says President Hichilema has targeted ECZ to for purposes of entrenching an advantage for him so that the 2026 elections are tilted to his favor. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema’s strategy and tactics are being read like an open book by all and chances of him succeeding will be dimmed considerably.
“Shamelessly and desperately, Mr. Hichilema orchestrated the ouster of the former ECZ Director, an act that signified his underhand methods and failure to play by the rules of engagement”, Mr. Mwamba says.
ISSUED BY GEOFFREY BWALYA MWAMBA, GBM
CHAIRMAN FOR MOBILIZATION IN THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT
ASPIRING CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE PF
This is Jelousy. Fimbopoke. The issue is we need one who knows better the constitution than what used to happen in the past government. You can not degrade one who talks about democracy. This is not right. Chipenzi is a Zambian and can not work alone. The goodness is that some of you corrupt guys are unhappy to see him be nominated because he is of no nonsense.
He is one of the few that makes informed commentary on elections. His experience is needed. As a Zambian, let him also serve. Previously some relatives were appointed to ECZ by some regime.
Zambia needs a team of well infested men and women with the clear understanding of election laws like Chipenzi. Laura’s comments are not good for democracy. What has Mac Donald Chipenzi to the nation? Is is a crime for Mr. Mac Donald to show and exercise his right when he critically objected to misrule of PF? Does criticizing PF’s misrule make Mr. Mac Donald a UPND cadre ? Not at all. No presidents in the past appointed people with no history. Let Mac Donald guide and bring sanity.
McDonald has always been objective in his discourse in relation to elections.
Those who follow Chipenzi’s contributions won’t listen to GBM’s outbursts. Chipenzi is clearly a very intelligent man who is very conversant with electoral rules and guidelines. He is an experienced man in civic matters. The notion that he is not pf’ s friend is not a crime. His appointment was even delayed. He interprets matters better than some lawyers. His presence in ECZ is a plus to the commission – a wonderful asset.
Spot on!!
Just wondering…GBM as defense minister..Chitotela at home affairs….Mvunga at bank of zambia just to mention a few were fit for their positions???
JEALOUSY WILL KILL PF!
MAC DONALD’S APPOINTMENT IS GOOD USE OF AVAILABLE HUMAN RESOURCE!
NO WONDER OUR PRESIDENT IS VERY SUCCESSFUL!
IF CHIPENZI IS QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB, DOESN’T HE DESERVE THE APPOINTMENT? IS IT CHIPENZI’S WILL THAT WILL BE DONE AT ECZ. ISN’T THERE A CODE OF ETHICS AT ECZ? IT IS WRONG TO JUDGE OTHERS BASED ON OUR SELF-UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE WE END UP PROJECTING OUR OWN WEAKNESSES ON THEM. THE PREVIOUS ECZ ALLEGEDLY ANNOUNCED ELECTION RESULTS FOR NON-EXISTENT POLLING STATIONS (WHERE THE PF IS SAID TO HAVE BEATEN THE UPND) BECAUSE THEY WERE CARRYING OUT ORDERS FROM CERTAIN QUARTERS: IS THIS WHAT GBM FEARS WILL BE HAPPENING? GBM MUST TRANSCEND THIS TYPE OF THINKING. UPND IS HERE TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE!
If these appointments by HH and New Dawn Government will end up dividing the country to its original 1911 boundaries so let it be. During the first fifty seven years of her independence people from Western Province never enjoyed prestigious appointments into Government positions. Now that they are starting to GBM should stop taking bad of the changes. What does he mean by an assault on democracy. There is something wrong with people who call themselves Doctor when they are not. People of Barotseland and former North Western Rhodesia are now Zambians too
Truth be told, Chipenzi is our stooge! Period. Doesn’t matter how much sugar you add into the coating.
PF BROUGHT A UGANDAN TO ECZ ELECTION NERVE CENTRE. NONE OF THESE EMPTY TINS COMPLAINED. CHIPENZI, A ZAMBIAN, AN ARTICULATE ZAMBIAN FOR THAT MATTER, IS DULY APPOINTED…..EMPTY TIN UPROAR
OH YES, EVERYONE ELSE ARE EMPTY TINS EXCEPT US IN THE UPND. THAT’S WHY WE WILL LOSE IN 2026. WE HAVE UNCOUTH MOUTHS!!!