By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Current ECZ Cannot Deliver Free, Democratic, Transparent, FreeI and Fair Elections
I think they don’t get it.
As shown in the Chawama Parliamentary By-Elections, the current Electoral Commission of Zambia is not capable of delivering credible, democratic, free, transparent and fair elections.
It is the vigilance of the political parties, close scrutiny of the process and the overwhelming response by the Chawama residents that delivered the win and ensured that the vote was secured.
Prior statements from ECZ, banning PF regalia received a backlash when their own and alliance partner, Nevers Mumba arrived dressed in New Nation regalia and KBF’s Zambia Must Prosper deployed his “Yellow Bees”.
Further the reluctance by ECZ officials to release the results as caught on live camera exposed a hidden hand desperately trying to alter or undermine the results.
We saw, without realising that both canera and microphones were on, expressed fear and frustrations that the Opposition was leading.
The presence of UPND thugs lurking and threatening and finally closing the the premises of the Totalling Centre, demonstrated the danger present.
Simply because the Opposition won doesn’t mean the concerns have gone away.
For the Opposition, it must be stated that Zambia has a good electoral system where votes are counted at the polling station, and therefore, effective monitoring of the process in all the 12,150 polling stations and exposing irregularities early, can guarantee a credible outcome.
Further, a risk arises during the transfer of ballots from polling stations to the Totalling occurs and must be guarded.
The Opposition has called for an audit of the Voters’ Register.
Clayson Hamasaka Wrote;
By Clayson Hamasaka
Chief Communications Specialist
State House
Now that the Chawama by-election is behind us, we invite those opposition figures who previously alleged rigging and the existence of ghost polling stations to present their evidence.
There were prominent individuals who issued sweeping and unfounded accusations against institutions of the State, institutions they sought, consciously or otherwise, to weaken and undermine.
Governance institutions responsible for elections deserve respect, whether the outcome favours us or not. Frivolous claims of rigging erode public confidence and undermine the orderly flow of democracy.
President Hakainde Hichilema extended his congratulations to the elected candidate and commended both the ECZ, the Law Enforcement and the electorate for conducting a peaceful and credible poll. This gesture reflects his commitment to democracy and his respect for institutional processes.
The Chawama by-election stands as a clear example of government honouring democratic outcomes, even when the ruling party is not the winner. It also contrasts sharply with the violence and intimidation that characterised elections during the past admnistration, when contestation frequently descended into confrontation. The peaceful nature of this poll demonstrates how far the country has come, and how essential it is to protect these gains.
We therefore urge the opposition to uphold the same respect for institutions that they expect when they themselves prevail. Democracy is strengthened not only by victory, but by gracious acceptance of outcomes and unwavering respect for the processes that sustain our Republic.
It is both illogical and misleading to allege that the current Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is incapable of delivering free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. Those making such claims, including Emmanuel Mwamba, owe the nation a clear explanation of what they personally define as a “free, fair, transparent, and credible election,” rather than relying on vague accusations and political rhetoric.
Opposition political parties have developed a habit of pre-emptively blaming the ECZ whenever electoral outcomes do not favour them. Had the Chawama by-election been won by the UPND, social media would likely have been flooded with complaints, allegations of rigging, and unverifiable claims despite the absence of evidence. This selective outrage exposes the hypocrisy behind such accusations and undermines public trust in democratic institutions.
One must also question why Emmanuel Mwamba appears consumed by bitterness, jealousy, and contradiction. Since August 2021, when the UPND government was democratically elected into power, he has consistently engaged in propaganda, falsehoods, and negative narratives. Rather than offering constructive criticism, his commentary has largely been driven by resentment.
Similarly, the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Socialist Party appear entrenched in bitterness and political hostility. Their refusal to acknowledge any positive developments under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration suggests that their opposition is not rooted in national interest, but in political loss and personal grievances. Such an approach does little to strengthen democracy or promote national unity.
This coward still thinks he thinks?
Were the Chawama elections not fair?