ELECTORAL BODY READY TO PROVIDE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

The Chief of Zambia elections body says it will soon announce the date for filing in of nominations ahead of this year's general elections.

Zambians go to the polls on 20th September to elect the head of state, Members of Parliament as well as Local Government representatives.

Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson -ECZ-, Ireen Mambilima has further stated the electoral body's readiness to provide a free and fair election.

Justice Mambilima has told a state-owned newspaper that the ECZ will be objective and professional in conducting the elections as it has done in the past.

She has said the ECZ wants to complete the nomination process so that the printing of ballot papers can start.

The printing of ballot papers will be conducted in South Africa by Universal Printing group and all political parties should send their party representatives to monitor the printing process.

Justice Mambilima has reiterated that election stakeholders should observe the electoral code of conduct to enhance transparency during the poll.

ZAMBIAN OPPOSITION FORCE ELECTIONS DATE ANNOUNCEMENT

Zambia’s lead opposition party, Patriotic Front Leader, Michael Sata claims that Republican President, Rupiah Banda was forced to announce the elections date after he allegedly wrote him a letter.

President Banda yesterday announced 20^th September 2011 as the day Zambians go to the polls to cast ballots in electing the head of state, Members of parliament as well as Local Government representatives.

But the outspoken opposition leader has told a local radio station that he had written to President Banda warning him of the consequences of taking the people of Zambia for granted by trying to delay the setting of the date of elections.

Under the Zambian constitution, the Republican President has vested powers to announce the elections date at his own time, but in consultation with the national electoral body, the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Mr Sata claims that in his letter to President Banda dated 20^th July 2011, he noted that the deliberate failure to dissolve parliament had led to illegal expenditure by the Vice President, George Kunda, Ministers and their Deputies on the travels to all parts of the country in the name of carrying out the national duties.

Meanwhile, Mr Sata has pledged the re-birth of a constitution making process once elected into public office.

He has claimed that the current constitution is too porous and does not protect the rights of the Zambian people further saying the same constitution has allowed President Banda to remain president on the MMD ticket ,when it is a well known fact that he is still a UNIP member because he is on record of not having resigned from the party.

ANOTHER MINER DIES IN KCM ACCIDENT

Another miner has died at the Konkola Copper Mines Nchanga underground mine.

27 year old Nelson Kalima who was working for one of contractor companies engaged at the Nchanga underground mine died in an incident during secondary blasting.

KCM Communications Manager Shapi Shachinda has said in a statement that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

Mr Shachinda says investigations have since been launched to ascertain the cause of the regrettable accident and to reinforce measures for preventing similar incidents in future.

On the 5^th of July, Enock Siame a 44 year old miner died on duty at the KCM concentrator in an accident.

FIFA MAKES RULING OVER CONVICTED ZAMBIAN PLAYERS

World soccer governing body, FIFA says Zambian players convicted for match-fixing in Finland must serve their sentences.

FIFA says the players, all formerly of Finnish club, ROPS, will only be eligible to play after the expiry of their sentences.

The respective players were, each, handed a 7-months suspended sentence by a Finnish court, after being convicted on match-fixing charges.

Godfrey Chabinga, Chileshe Chibwe, Francis Kombe, Stephen Kunda, Christopher Musonda, Chanda Mwaba and Nchimunya Mweetwa, had their contracts further terminated.

And FIFA has further warned that there should be no other related charges from another body.

ZAMBIA INFLATION STAGNATES WITH POLLS AROUND THE CORNER

Zambia’s inflation rate for the month of July has stagnated at 9 percent.

The state department in charge of national statistics in June quoted the monthly inflation rate at 9 per cent.

The Central Statistical Office says the rate of inflation has remained the same.

This is despite the food, beverages and tobacco prices having increased over the respective period.

The department’s Acting Director for Census and Statistics, John Kalumbi however says the annual inflation rate for clothing and footwear among other non-food products has reduced.

Meanwhile, Zambia has continued recording trade surpluses with June records indicating 527.3 billion kwacha.

This however represents a nominal decrease of about 33.7 percent from 795.6 billion kwacha recorded in May 2011.

Meanwhile, the nation’s premier agriculture and commercial show has opened today, 28^th July 2011 under the theme Shaping Tomorrow’s World.

Various international exhibitors from at least 18 countries, have confirmed their participation.

EX-DEFENCE CHIEF ACQUITTED OF GRAFT CHARGES

Former Zambia Air Force Commander, Christopher Singogo has been acquitted on charges of abuse of authority of office.

This is matter in which, lieutenant-General Singogo had appealed against a 5-year jail sentence slapped on him by the Lusaka sub-ordinate court.

The lower court had earlier found General Singogo guilty on charges of having abused his authority.

This was in the respective defence wing’s cleaning services contract, which he allegedly arbitrary awarded to a named private company, in which he was a named director.

But the Lusaka high court on Thursday, 28^th July 2011 acquitted him, partly on grounds that he was not a public officer at the time of his arrest and conviction.

The Lusaka high court further noted that the lower court also erred in law in convicting General Singogo and consequently sending him to jail.

Leading a three Judges panel, Ndola high court judge Munalula Lisimba said the lower court did not, also establish whether it was General Singogo, who signed the contract.

THE OPPOSITION NOT SURPRISED WITH POLLS DATE

The lead opposition party in Zambia, Patriotic Front has expressed no surprise with the announced elections date.

The opposition party’s leader, Michael Sata has told the local media that the announcing of the polls date is long overdue.

Mr Sata has been reacting to the republican President, Rupiah Banda’s announcing of 20^th September 2011 as the day Zambians go to the polls to elect their leaders.

The outspoken opposition leader has since declared that his party is more than ready for the polls.

Mr Sata had earlier this month predicted that the polls would be held on 28^th September 2011.

Meanwhile, another opposition party, the United Party for National Development has also welcomed the polls date.

The party’s Secretary General, Winston Chibwe however says he is not surprised with the announced date for the polls.

Mr Chibwe has stated that the UPND, whose stronghold is pre-dominantly Southern Zambia, started preparing for the polls a long time ago.

ZAMBIA POLLS SET FOR 20TH SEPTEMBER

Zambian President, Rupiah Banda has set Tuesday 20^th September 2011 as the date for the general elections.

Speaking on state television, Mr Banda also announced the dissolution of both the tenth National Assembly as well as Cabinet.

He has explained that the announcement follows the electoral commission of Zambia assurances of its readiness to deliver free and fair elections.

And in his dissolution of cabinet, Mr Banda has ordered all ministers and their deputies to cease their portfolios with immediate.

Mr Banda also said he will continue to run government, with assistance from the Vice President, George Kunda and Permanent Secretaries.

And on the polls, Mr Banda called for the need for all stakeholders to uphold the provisions of the Electoral Code of conduct.

7 ARRESTED OVER JOURNALISTS BEATING

Zambian Police have arrested 7 more people in connection with the beating of a Muvi TV news crew by some MMD cadres in Lusaka West.

On Monday, 18^th July 2011, some MMD cadres beat and attempted to rape Muvi TV journalists, who had gone to Nakachenje area in the capital, Lusaka to investigate stories of illegal land allocation.

Confirming the latest arrests, Police Spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana has said the 7 have been charged with various offences ranging from aggravated robbery to attempted rape.

Ms Siamana has added that the latest development brings to 9, the number of arrested suspects over the matter.

POLICE CHIEF WARNS LAW BREAKERS

Zambia Police inspector-General, Francis Kabonde has vowed to inflict punitive measures against anyone breaching the electoral Code of Conduct.

Mr Kabonde also says anybody fomenting violence during the elections will be met with the law regardless of their status.

He has warned that the police will not take kindly to anyone taking the law into their own hands.

Mr Kabonde has said this in a statement in the advent of MMD youths, who have allegedly vowed to reciprocate any violent attacks.

He has explained that the police will ensure a violence-free election through strict upholding of the electoral code of conduct.

And Mr Kabonde says he has instructed his officers to be extra alert and swift in enforcing the law.