IS ZAMBIA READY FOR PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES?

Opposition Leader Hakainde Hichilema is challenging President Edgar Lungu to a live television debate to discuss national issues, a call which has received annoying response from the ruling party.

Patriotic Front deputy Spokesman Frank Bwalya made it clear that President Lungu cannot be subjected to a debate against any presidential Candidate ahead of next month’s general elections.

Debate is good as it offers an opportunity to participants to explain their ideas to an audience.

High profile debates are common in Western Countries where people are treated to heated exchange of ideas upon which they make informed decisions.

In Zambia, a debate at that level is still in its infancy but at University level Candidates aspiring for Leadership mandatorily face an audience to outline their plans.

I do not know why President Lungu is not interested to take on his main challenger Mr. Hichilema, the president of the United Party for National Development?

It is a good idea for the nation to be treated to such a debate where a sitting head of State can engage in a war of words on national issues with his presidential opponents.

The late president Frederick Titus Chiluba considered by many as one of Zambia’s eloquent speakers never publicly debated against his rivals.

On the regional level former president of Malawi Joyce Banda in 2014 refused to participate in a presidential debate saying she was busy with campaigns.

During the same period current president Peter Mutharika was also absent.

Down South late Nelson Mandela debated then President FW de Klerk ahead of the 1994 elections.

Since then no leader of the ruling African National Congress has engaged in any debate, it says the idea is bad not even former president Thabo Mbeki or 

President Jacob Zuma has taken part in a presidential debate.

Lastly but not the least in 2009 Current Botswana president Ian Khama including a leader of the opposition Botswana congress party Mr. Gilson Saleshando snubbed a presidential debate.

Having cited those examples I want to point out that on the African Continent, a presidential debate is not a collect yardstick to determine who is a good Leader to govern a nation.

In the Western World such debates are for the elite or the literate in society, people who are able to scrutinize national policies with less explanation.

Illiteracy levels in most African Countries Zambia inclusive are too high where certain people do not even know the correct way to cast a ballot paper.

There is nothing wrong with a sitting head of State debating against his or her presidential Candidates but ordinary people do not base their judgments on how somebody articulate policies.

Assuming President Edgar Lungu went ahead to debate against Mr. Hichilema, the opposition Leader could be seen to have an upper hand based on his arguments at the failures of the current government.

I know President Lungu has what it takes to debate and there is no doubt about it but speculations is all over that the head of State fears Mr. Hichilema.

For instance on the education policy Mr. Hichilema wants to provide free education from primary level up to university Level.

President Lungu cannot afford to counter argue such a point for one obvious reason, he knows that the resource pool available may not support free education.

The stand point of President Lungu in the debate can be on the current existing national policies therefore making it almost impossible to act against such policies.

At the moment Mr. Hichilema has nothing to lose because he is a challenger like in boxing match such that he must knock down the champion through whatever means even enticing people with untested policies.

Character assassination between the two Leaders ranging from being called a non-believer to lacking leadership to me to some extent that has contributed to such a debate not taking place.

It is also important to bear in mind that in the African context questioning Leadership on accountability publicly is considered a taboo.

Despite Many African countries embracing democratic values, divergence no matter how objective, it is considered as lack of respect for Leaders, which should not be the case.

President Lungu could go to that debate carrying the office of the Zambian presidency that must be protected from unwarranted attacks from his opponents.

Media pressure forces presidential Candidates Even in the United States of America to debate against each other, because it is not mandatory.

Maybe it is time for all elective positions to be subjected to a debate by enshrining such a provision into the Constitution of Zambia.

RALLIES HEAD TO HEAD WITH ONLINE MEDIA

Political Campaigns have reached a climax as the 11^th August draws closer for Citizens to choose their preferred President, Member of Parliament, Councillor as well as Mayors and Council Chairpersons, new additions to the electoral process.

From my observations, a number of things have not changed in terms of strategy; it is a situation of using the same trick to trap an elusive prey, which in this case, is a voter.

 

Modern day Politicians still rely on public gatherings as the one of the many methods to disseminate their campaign messages to both loyal and undecided people.

Political parties have trekked and they are still coming to you and me for that single vote that is so crucial in what analysts predict to be highly contested general elections.

The latest inclusion to the elections in the Modern World is social media such as Facebook, twitter, and many other platforms available.

Having rallies and using social media platforms have own advantages and disadvantages depending on how it is used by the communicator.

Modern day Politicians still rely on public gatherings as the one of the many methods to disseminate their campaign messages to both loyal and undecided people.

Door to door approach is not widely used by politicians for one obvious reason of not reaching masses at one given time especially in vast wards or constituencies, but it is a powerful mode of communication.

This mode offers a Candidate a one on one interaction with a voter; it enables a Candidate to have first hand information regarding a particular problem facing a given community.

A Candidate who direct manages a social media account can respond to queries on the timeline or those forwarded in the inbox and it excites followers.

Big Rallies or Mammoth gatherings like others like to describe them are slowly becoming a keeping up appearance events or show off function to claim what I call “artificial popularity”.

Artificial popularity because it does not mean all is well and those watching or listening to your message are behind a certain Candidate 100 percent, it is unpredictable even if numbers don’t lie.

The sad part about rallies is that Politicians use them to send unproductive messages that just excite people instead of advancing real issues.

Remember in 2015, the Electoral Commission of Zambia recorded over 16 thousand rejected ballot papers that could have been avoided if politicians explained to a voter how to best to cast a ballot paper.

 This also applies to social media; you will find that most of the messages are either one sided or a total fabrication of a true statement.

People managing online sites have a tough time to strike a balance of sending well balanced stories that can help Citizens make informed decisions and to please their pay masters.

Over a thousand people may like an online posting or a particular account but there is no guarantee to verify that once a message everybody seeing it agrees you.

Come 2021 Social media will be at the centre of Zambia’s political spotlight in that it does not observe the Constitutional requirements of the now condemned Public order act.

Social media penetrates even the stronghold of rivalry political parties, what is needed is to ensure that internet connection is widened and reduce the charges by service providers.

Social media has caused problems the latest was the failed coup plot in Turkey where a whatsapp group called the “Safety of the nation” was used by thousands of Turks to rise against an elected government.

Politicians like and hate social message just like they do not appreciate their opponents holding big rallies in areas perceived to be their strongholds.

People attend rallies for different reasons worse still not all those at the rally are eligible voters, they may also not be loyal supporters of a particular party.

Being a Public speaking Coach and a debater of more than 10 years experience, it is important and very difficult at the same time to keep the audience alive or connected to your message between 2 to 4 hours.

During such rallies, very few politicians educate the voter on the correct way of casting a ballot paper.

One thing is certain, social media is very power and it influences masses at a click of button.

Those in the working class do not have the luxury of attending a rally being addressed by politicians while those out of employment flood political gatherings in compounds and many other places.

I may be right or wrong to suggest that rallies are for the unemployed who are the majority while as social media is for the minority in society.

Look out for the government of national unit in the next publication.

Thank you

THE SADC REGION TO APPEAL FOR FOOD AID

The Southern African Development Community is set to declare a Regional Disaster and Launch a Humanitarian Appeal for Millions hit by El Niño-induced Drought.

An Estimated 41 million people of the 181 million people in the region are food insecure, and out of this figure, more than 21 million people are in urgent need of assistance.

This is according to the Vulnerability Assessment Results released on 10^th June 2016 at the 10^th SADC meeting of regional vulnerability assessment and analysis held in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Chairman of the Southern African Development Community Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of Botswana will deliver the appeal for humanitarian amounting to 2.7 billion United States dollars.

Five Member States out of the fifteen member body, namely Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe have declared national drought emergencies.

South Africa has declared a drought emergency in 8 of the 9 provinces, while Mozambique declared a 90-day institutional red alert for some Southern and Central areas.

The Appeal is a formal request to the International Community to provide assistance to affected Member States, and it is meant to complement the response efforts at individual Member States level.

Dr Ian Khama, will officially announce the sad development at Gaborone International Convention Centre in Botswana on Tuesday the 26^th July 2016.

Donors such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, Southern Africa Trust, World Food Program, The African Union including government Officials and Civil Society Organizations as well as the Private Sector will be in attendance.

My Analysis;

Zambia recorded a maize surplus of 634,681 metric tons of Maize during the 2015-2016 Farming seasons, becoming the only Country in the region to be Food secure.

According to a disputed 2015 World Hunger Index, Zambia is ranked the third hungriest country in the world after Chad and the Central African Republic.

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda refuted the report further calling on the authors of the report to provide more clarity on the matter.

This food crisis in the region will put pressure on the Zambian government to secure the borders and prevent the surplus maize it harvested during the last farming season finding its way to needy neighbours.

THE Food Reserve Agency has targeted to buy 1.7 million bags of 50 kilograms of maize during this year’s crop marketing season across the Country.

"I declare Malawi in a state of national disaster following prolonged dry spells during the 2015, 2016 agriculture season," President Peter Mutharika said in a statement on Wednesday on (13.04.2016).

 After Zimbabwe, Malawi is the second southern African country to declare a state of national disaster, while South Africa said it was facing the worst drought in 100 years.

International bodies have said the following "The situation is quite dire and we believe the worst is still to come. It will take a long time before the situations improves," said David Orr, Southern Africa spokesman for the United Nation's World Food Program.

The government is on record saying it will not see its neighbours go hungry while it has food to share by way of exporting at a cost.

In this regard Zambia could have benefited from this crisis provided the Winter Maize project which was started by Late President Levy Mwanawasa was never abandoned by President Rupiah Banda.

Am seeing a situation where the Food Reserve Agency may not be able to meet the target of buying 1. 7 Million Bags of Maize because the purchase price is beyond by what private grain traders are offering on cash basis.

In the Eastern Province for instance grain traders are buying a 50 kilogram bag of Maize between 100-120 kwacha while the Agency is offering 85 kwacha for the same bag.

Realistically a Farmer will go for price being offered by the private buy or the so called brief case buyers that is the principle of business go for the higher price.

Illegal smuggling of Maize will not STOP because it is now a fast money VENTURE and no business minded person can avoid such a route in this biting economy.

Over the last Months many truck laden with Maize have been impounded and this will continue to happen as Smugglers seek new tricks of jumping barriers before them.

A week ago more than 20 thousand by 50 kilogram bags of maize allegedly meant for illegal export were seized.

Sturdy Mwale, the Chairman for the Taskforce against Maize Smuggling told journalists that the maize seized was heading to Zimbabwe, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Trucks by nature will be easily being impounded by authorities but NOT bicycle transporters who are so common in places like the Eastern province.

The Zambia National Service need extra funding to secure the surplus Maize from leaving the nation, it is a Task that must be executed at all costs.

If more Maize leaves the Country, it will put The Millers Association of Zambia under pressure and there will remain with no option but to increase the price of the staple food.

Last month, a Consumer Unit Trust Society report indicated that 83 per cent of Zambians say the price of mealie-meal is too high while 42 per cent say they can no longer afford to buy the nation’s staple food.

The crisis also provides a Market for the Millers to reach the market beyond borders if only the local demand is secured unlike what happened where some Milling Companies rushed to satisfying outside buyers at the expense of all weather buyers at home.

The crisis on the other hand could be used to look at the promotion of other crops such as millet, vegetables, sorghum and cassava.

When you consider Tanzania, it has promoted the cultivation of rice and other crops such that it is very rare that there is a food crisis there.

Many opportunities exist but people always resist change which must be embraced as a way of moving forward for the benefit of the nation and the Southern African region at large.

Meanwhile the African Union has adopted a new funding formula that will generate 1.2 billion United States and cut reliance on donors who currently provide about three-quarters of funding for its programs.

The AU’s heads of state on July 16 decided that 0.2 percent of a country’s eligible imports will go toward funding the African Union Commission’s programs.

This financing mode will become operational by 2017 must be used towards assisting member States to respond and recover from such natural disasters that rock the Continent from time to time like the drought in the Southern African Region.

 

HOLES IN THE VOTERS REGISTER

After One Month of cross checking of the register of voters Independent Auditors have revealed mind blogging questions that need the attention of the Electoral Commission of Zambia and other relevant government agencies.

The Electoral body engaged External Consultants from Kenya led by Dismas Ong’ando; works began on the 5^th of June to 5^th of July this year.

Briefly Mr. Ong’ondi was trained at the University of Nairobi, in Kenya.

He is a qualified Information Security Management Business Continuity Management IT Governance.

What are the findings?

The audit confirmed that 1,697,762 new voters were added to the register.

On the other hand 142,383 ineligible voters were removed from the provisional register.

This will be subjected to debate but it is possible that somebody below the stipulated age to register as a voter may have penetrated the system and found him or herself on the final register.

Stakeholders will claim that some of those removed were eligible voters and they are coming from the perceived strongholds, more questions fewer answers available.

In addition, the audit established that the existing penalties on election offences are inadequate specifically related to the offence of multiple voter registrations.

The audit also identified 132,837 cases on the Voters’ register sharing National Registration Card numbers.

On this one suspicious will raise pointing all directions, which to me is understandable but it is not clear who these voters are and where they are from?

The auditors did not state publicly from which Constituencies or which Constituency registered the highest of the same voters bearing same details. 

It is everyone’s guess at the moment but I know fingers are pointing at the Patriotic Front for obvious reasons.

But it is also possible for a voter who is a supporter of any opposition political party to be involved in such scheme which some sections of Society may conclude to be a trick to rig the Elections.

2,555 cases shared National Registration Card numbers, names and dates of birth.

492 Voters share nearly FULL registration details with variations on gender, district code on the National Registration number and residence.

The audit has also revealed that over 62 thousand deceased voters have been removed from the Voters register in the last few years.

In this regard, the Commission has written to the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship requesting for death records of citizens that were voting age at the time of death.

The Department has replied to the Electoral Body and the Commission is analyzing the data availed to it following a query.

The Commission also wrote to the National Pensions Scheme Authority last Month requesting for the records of citizens that were of voting age at the time of death.

Napsa has since replied to the Commission which is also analyzing and processing the date availed to it.

On the alleged inclusion of suspected Foreigners in the Provisional Register of Voters, the auditors DID NOT find any evidence to support the allegations because all the registration records have associated NRC numbers that conforms to the legal requirement.

But the Auditors did not rule OUT the fact that it is possible for the Electoral Body to register Foreign Nationals, it is ONLY that they did not trace any leak to indicate the presence of outside Voters.

The Commission has invited political parties to inspect the Provisional Register and identify any non-Zambians who are on the list.

As a result of that call, two people have since been taken off the register.

Therefore the Electoral Commission proposes an amendment to the subsection 8(4) of the Electoral process Act to remove the ambiguity and make multiple registrations an offence regardless where they occur.

The Commission is currently considering objections that were submitted during the inspection of the Provisional Register of Voters and that any person found to be ineligible for the registration as a voter will be removed from the final Register before it is officially finalized on 31TH July, 2016.

STAND ON YOUR OWN IDEOLOGIES

President Edgar Lungu has appealed to Independent Candidates participating in the 11^th August general elections not to ride on his popularity by enticing the electorate to vote for them as they back the head of state.

While in Luapula province drumming up support ahead of what analysts say is a tight election, President Lungu said that Independent Candidates Campaigning using The ruling party symbol And regalia have no blessings of the Party.

First of all let me establish who is an Independent Candidate is in an election.

An Independent Candidate is somebody who does not have any outside influence and fully backs his or her campaigns.

I find it disturbing that an Independent Candidate can be enticing voters for support a Presidential Candidate of the ruling party which to some extent is an indication that they should as well vote for him or her.

Any Independent who engages in such maneuvers clearly demonstrates that he or she does not believe in their ideologies, in short they have nothing to offer to the electorate.

It also implies that such a Candidate is not sure if they can win and want to use every chance to pull through tight general elections.

Such Independent Candidates want to ride on the perceived popularity of President Lungu, so that he could consider them in his cabinet if the wins the polls provided that a PF candidate in that area loses.

But there is also a danger which should be monitored by Security wings, because President Lungu has denounced such Candidates openly, they are at risk of being victimized by supporters of preferred candidates from the ruling party.

There was such case in Kabwata constituency where an independent candidate, Clement Tembo, is urging his supporters to back President Lungu as they give him a vote and he uses regalia of the ruling party.

At one time a fight ensued between his supporters and those of immediate past area Member of Parliament Given Lubinda, who is re-contesting the Seat. Such happenings may escalate?

 Another point that has not being explained is how do these Independent Candidates source their funding more especially the patriotic front regalia, because I believe the regalia is not just dished out to anybody within the party.

And where do these Candidates draw their mandate to support President Lungu who already has an adopted candidate for each constituency?

In areas like Lundazi and Muchinga constituencies where two cabinet ministers namely Dr John Phiri and Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula failed to file in Nomination papers, it is understandable but not in areas where the Patriotic Front has presence.

Dr. John Phiri

Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula

An Independent Candidate that fails to stand on his or her own during campaigns cannot be trusted because it shows that individual is ready to abandon set targets whenever they spot low hanging fruits.

Candidates should not confuse a voter, who says that backing a President of a ruling party can win somebody votes? It is try and error kind of thinking and who says that everybody who follows them believes in him or her?

In my view those Candidates openly using the name of the president, some of them may have gotten an insurance that if you deliver a constituency there are better things ahead especially in areas where the ruling party is not very popular.

I foresee a situation where some of those candidates withdrawing from the race if their funding was indirectly coming from somebody within the ruling party to just try and destabilize a candidate adopted by the party in power.

If independent candidates can have courage campaign for a sitting head of states openly, can we conclude that they are also backing opposition presidential candidates who have a realistic chance of forming the next government?

There is no sense at all for a Candidate who claims to have an independent plan for Ward, Constituency to use the achievements of a governing political party; that is being a visionless Leader.