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ECZ ‘s decision on postponement unfortunate – Hichilema
Livingstone, February 28, 2013, ZANIS — The decision by the Electoral Commissions of Zambia to postpone the Livingstone Parliamentary by-election is unfortunate, United Party for National Development (UPPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
Mr. Hichilema says the ECZ should have consulted all political and stakeholders instead of making a unilateral decision.
ZANIS reports from Livingstone that the opposition leader said this during a briefing in Livingstone, today.
He also regretted the death of the PF cadre Mr. Harison Chanda who according to police met his fate when UPND and PF cadres clashed on 25th February in Livingstone but blamed the PF for causing the violence.
He observed that it was sad that lives have been lost over mere elections.
“It is unfortunate that ECZ decided to postpone the election without consulting us the major stakeholders” said Mr. Hichilema.
The Livingstone by-election which was scheduled today has been postponed to 14th March by ECZ citing violence which rocked the city in the few days before the poll.
And Mr. Hichielema bemoaned the poor state of police cells saying they were not fit for any Zambian and called on the government to into the matter.
Mr. Hichilema who spent a night in cells after his arrest on Tuesday said it was important to improve conditions in all the prisons and holding cells and make them fit for humans.
“ Am very sad about the poor state of our police cells which has now water, mattresses and no ventilation and I think there need for those responsible to look into this matter,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He envisaged that once voted his major priorities will include improvement in prisons and police cells to make them more habitable.
Movement for Multi-party Democracy, (MMD) constituency chairperson said the postponement of the elections was politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Districts Electoral officer Vivian Chikoti said all the ballot papers and other election materials will be transferred to Lusaka in a Chopper this afternoon adding that the move follows the postponement of the elections
