Voting in the Mangango Parliamentary by-elections today closed peacefully with the counting of ballots starting almost immediately to find the new Member of Parliament for the rural constituency.
The by-election which was being contested by six candidates from different political parties was generally peaceful despite clashes that had preceded it over the weekend.
However, the voting started on slow note with most polling stations visited in three wards recording as little as 20 voters by 08:00 hour.
By midday, most of the centres were yet to record a 50 per cent voter turnout although Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) said numbers had been average.
Chilombo polling station in Shikomwe Ward which has the highest number of registered voters in the constituency had recorded just 300 by 09:30 hours out of the 1,305 registered.
At Namaloba polling centre in the same ward, only 21 had cast their ballots by 07:30 hours out of 550 registered voters while the situation was hardly different from Namimbwe were only 26 out 372 had voted.
In Mangango Ward, 632 out of the registered 3,408 had cast their ballots by 13:30 hours while at Namalazi in the same ward, 243 had voted by midday.
Security was tight with every polling centre manned by uniformed officers while representatives from participating political party as well as observers were present at every centre.
Apart from the seemingly voter apathy, cadres from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) clashed with their counterpart from the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mwanambuyu, one of the remotest wards in the constituency.
Western Province Police Chief Lombe Kamukoshi said the cadres clashed at the same place were UPND Katuba MP allegedly assaulted six PF cadres over week resulting into his arrest.
“But that was an isolated case and as I am talking to you, the situation is under control because our officer are on the ground in Mwanambuyu,” said Ms Kamukoshi in an interview.
Ms Kamukoshi said the situation had been quite during the voting period and expressed confidence that the electorates had cast their ballots without any intimidation.
Meanwhile, FODEP executive director Macdonald Chipenzi who is monitoring the polls has described the voting process as peaceful with voters casting their ballot without interference.
“So far the process has been peaceful, there is no intimidation or confrontation and I am pleased to note that all major political parties have their representative at every polling centre,” Mr Chipenzi said.
Mangango Constituency has 17,157 registered voters in its seven wards, but poor road network to remotest areas may prolong the official announcement of the results.
The ruling PF fielded Lyambai Lingweshi while the UPND floated Godwin Putu with the MMD hoping to retain the seat through Charles Mwenzela. There was also ADD’s Mweene Naluwa, while UNIP had Janet Chingumbe, with the Fourth Revolution Party floating Mukumbuta Kabuyana.
This is a test for Sata vs HH. I know HH will now lets here PF thugs saying MMD is the real looser because that was not PF seat. U are feeling the Heat, what more if Sata dies it will be KABIMBA vs HH
counting has started and UPND is leading by a wide margin
This is a test between Sata and HH. I know HH will win People are fed up of PF lies and Sata’s arrogance and KABIMBA. Now I don’t want to hear PF complaining at iyo that seat was for MMD hence r the real loosers . Ok baficolour why did u waste our monies and DCs time to go campaign. U are feeling the Heat, what more if Sata dies no let me use the correct English, what more when we burry Sata it it will be KABIMBA vs HH. Kaili GBM has been kicked out by the A Team.
Pf is now leading in Mangango.
If UPND wins these elections then PF will never win any election going forward. Their rigging formula should be thrown in the bin.
Tribal HH and up and down have won in southern province ,its a no brainer ,we knew this one kekekekekeke
PF is leading so far.
Mango is already flowering in Mangango? Sign that 2016 in near the corner, Ba Sata must be having sleepless nights.
Robin, PF has also scooped the ward elections in Luapula. I guess that’s a no-brainer as well, te?
Wide margin indeed!
This is a test between Sata and HH. I know HH will win People are fed up of PF lies and Sata’s arrogance and KABIMBA. Now I don’t want to hear PF complaining at iyo that seat was for MMD hence r the real loosers . Ok baficoolour why did u waste our monies and DCs time to go campaign. U are feeling the Heat, what more if Sata dies no let me use the correct English, what more when we burry Sata it it will be KABIMBA vs HH. Kaili GBM has been kicked out by the A Team.
We can never compare Micheal with HH. These are two different politicians far wider apart. Micheal coined PF, formed and started PF from nothing. And today the party is in government. Whilst HH just enheritated UPND then second largest political party in Zambia after poisning Andy using tribal back door. Alas! Today UPND is struggling in distant 3rd position. My own analysis is that, HH can never be president becos of the way he came on the political scene.
SAY THAT AFTER COUNTING. PEOPLE ARE NOT BLIND ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN ZAMBIA IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. UNLESS HATE AND TRIBALISM HAS GONE SO DEEP INTO THEIR BLOOD.
Ba Mushotab, ati shani, what are you saying now? Hehehehehehehehe!!!
PF should begin a soul searching postmortem after losing Mangango by-election. PF has to decide if they can go for a big one in 2016 because even granny Mubotela Siseko knows that Mulumbwana is the person to vote for. Lets wait a few hours from now when PF will eat the humble pie.
How much humble pie have you eaten since morning???? HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!!!!
I am sure the voters will exorcise PF demon out of Mangango.
Octopus…. are you a shemale? just asking. You seem to be calling yourself and then answering and engaging yourself in a discussion. I will have some of what you are smoking brothergirl!
SO FAR UPND IS LEADING BY 75 %
Wenye! Its a SHAME!
Haikanyelawila Hiichinechine has diareahha now. It is in the public domain that he actually poisoned Andy to take over the party leadership.
Peace be upon all Zambians wherever they may be.
Peace be upon you my brothers and sisters
I think even the old lady wanted change for her grate grand children. Sata has cause misery for all of us apart from the lady cops that he is promoting everywhere.
Let’s wait and see cause when a man is being chased by a dog , he holds his lower ‘batteries’ tight and the King could be doing the same at Nkhwazi House.
We just have to teach PF a lesson of their lives; imagine even non functioning lawyer by the name of Kabimba has become a genius in Zambia-my foot!
Good for grandy Siseko exercising her right to vote. Rock on 87 years! Can’t wait for results. Tension better than that from a horror movie!
Katongo you have your brains purely you contribute between your legs no brains at all. President Sata has done much in three years than what MMD did in 20 years. In five years it will even more visible for opposing Thomas . Politics of poverty with bush products followers of extremist, violent and hate motivated leader. There is nothing they can appreciate because they thinking it’s only them who can do better because their self preservation and we know it all has incapacitated their political approach.
The results of this by election does not mean or reflect 2016. Western province is a strange and unpredictable area for any political party. It’s a swing province . After levy this province will give parallel outcomes UPND has made good in roads and this May benefit UPND.
then why can’t it be a swing province for PF if they have done a lot?????????????
Things aren’t right for PF in the Mangango by-election. So far UPND is leading with a comfortable margin. With more than 12 polling stations counted so far, UPND has a sailing lead by 49 percent ahead of PF which is sitting at 28 percent. The PF campaign headquarters is in shivers with most of the officials missing. At the tallying center, UPND supports are chatting victory while PF officials are melting away. Mwaliteta who is still hanging out at the tallying center was seeing walking in and out talking on his mobile phone frequently. You can feel pity for PF. More in the next posting as new events begin to unfold. Stand-by
Western province will vote towards their cousins despite Sikota chased from UPND . PF is taking infrastructure development there but it’s their right as Zambians to receive infrastructure developments like any part of the country. It’s the constitutional right to choose the person and political party they want just as other provinces do. Levy won elections in Chitulika and entire Mpika where President Sata hails from coz they decided to do so by exercising their constitutional rights. Developments should not be used as weapon but to encourage democracy grow and flourish regardless of which political party individuals belong to.
Latest news-With 18 polling stations counted in Mangango, PF is now leading with 1978 followed by UPND 1755. There are 15 more polling stations remaining.
Any new updates on Mangango?
Things are now beginning to swing in favor of PF. This is perhaps why Mwaliteta was busy on the phone to spin the wheel. Watch this space for more latest
we need an update?Can someone tell us whats happenning
Oh so much stress, not sleeping tonight, eyes on my iPad, waiting, waiting! It’s a good thing, I’m nonpartisan, those swinging numbers would have me in stitches! After all the argybargy we get to find out who gets licked!!
Watchdog is reporting that PF has won
Too close to call
This Mangango by election is just a sound test of the loud bang of defeat awaiting chi Sata in 2016.
May the lord help us rid ourselves of Sata’s bad leadership.
If PF wins,then we know Isreal was involved in the rigging…….
Hellooooooo, anyone awake?? What’s the count?
Pf has won.they wnted it at all costs
Why no updates from watchdog from 23 hrs to now. ?….?………?
Oh so much stress, not sleeping tonight, eyes on my iPad, waiting, waiting! It’s a good thing, I’m nonpartisan, those swinging numbers would have me in stitches! After all the argybargy we get to find out who gets licked chicalas!! cheers from e vans mfula at evaduco
The seat has been scooped by PF, wait for the official announcement. Thanks to all those who participated and congrats to PF candidate. We will meet you in the House.
VIVA PF we have done it again CONGRATULATIONS to the people of Mangango more development coming. Shame ba under 5
Development its something to be felt not to be told, every Zambian has felt the delopment that is taking place in every part of this country and come 2016 PF is head for another victory
Congratulations ba PF
viva viva…its a good thing people in managango are able to see the developmental projects that the pf government is undertaking..am sure more is coming for the people of western province
PF has scooped the seat and UPND are stunned as they overrated themselves. UPND has paid the price for unleashing violence in Mangango. How were the electorates going to vote for UPND when their chief with his wife were brutalized by the cadres?
It was a protest vote against UPND by the Lozi people who have not forgotten how they own son, bo Sakwiba Sikota was robbed of the UPND’s presidency just because he was not Tonga. UPND will just remain a force to reckon with in their traditional stronghold of Southern Province.
Well I guess congratulations are in order for PF. You win some, you lose some.
You will only win 1 seat out of the 5 by elections slated for September 2014.The seat that you will win (Zambezi West) has been predominantly UPND but you stand no chance to scoop the other 4 seats.
We shall not talk anymore! Development shall do that on our behalf mukwai!!!!
UPND has been defeated hands down in Mangango by PF. It is a fact that UPND is a weak party on its own and stands no chance to win a national election in 2016. At national level UPND is on a downward trajectory in terms of popularity which currently stands at 18%.The other problem which has compounded the situation is that its new leader (HH) does not appeal to the masses like the way his predecessor did. In 2001 Anderson Mazoka amassed 79,000 votes in Lusaka but 10 years down the line in 2011 HH only garnered 45,000 votes. There is no issue of tribal voting here because both Anderson Mazoka and HH were Tonga and the only explanation is that HH is simply not popular.
Don’t get too excited dude. You should be aiming your hysteria towards MMD who actually lost that seat.
Bambo Dudelove, would you have said that had your party UP aNd Down won the elections? Everyone knows that the struggles are only between PF and UPND regardless of who actually held the seat (as comments above would confirm).