President Hakainde Hichilema has congratulated Patriotic Front Lawrence Shaba for winning the Luangwa Mayoral By-elections.
Congratulations to the Patriotic Front for returning the Luangwa Council Chairmanship By-election, this is a democracy that offers two faces of the coin; a triumph or a loss.
President Hichilema stated that a losing athlete will get an opportunity to ask tough questions and most importantly will embark on a rigorous training regime promising a better performance in the next competition.
He said that so much anxiety has been expressed by a lot of supporters under the United Party for National Development (UPND) over the result regarding the Council By-election, is a testament of how the quality of democracy has grown, as this also underscores the view that every election at every level is important.
“To our supporters, don’t despair, vala jombo and go and sell our party and its programmes to the outermost parts of our country. At the end of it all, democracy has won,” President Hichilema said
Yesterday, the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Lawrence Shaba won the Luangwa Mayoral By-election, beating his closest rival from the United Party for National Development (UPND) by 308 votes.
According to the final results declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Patriotic Front candidate Lawrence Shaba scored 4,075 votes and the UPND candidate Arthur Lungu scored 3,767 votes, while the Socialist Party candidate Christopher Njovu scored 382 votes.
Other candidates who took part in the Mayoral By-elections Geoffrey Mumba of the Leadership Movement scored 60 votes, and Julius Sikasote an Independent candidate scored 62 votes.
Despite the By-elections running smoothly on the voting day, there where reports that the UPND cadres attacked a convoy of the Socialist Party and the Patriotic Front members and damaged vehicles during the act, this was brought to light by the Socialist Party President Fred M’membe, who expressed dismay citing the attack as a dangerous pattern of political and election campaigns the UPND has embarked on that might backfire, as violence begets violence.
The vacancy in Luangwa District was created as a result of the dismissal of the appeal on 24th June, 2022 by the Constitutional Court. Earlier, the Local Government Tribunal nullified the Luangwa Council Chairperson’s seat on 24th September, 2021. The seat which was held by Lawrence Shaba fell vacant after being nullified by the Local Court for alleged electoral malpractices which was exhibited during the 12th August, 2021 General Elections.
Meanwhile, the Patriotic Front Acting President Given Lubinda stated that there is more hope for the Party to return to power in 2026.
Mr Lubinda noted that Luangwa has shown the country that the Patriotic Front is still popular and most loved by people.
Speaking to journalists after the Patriotic Front candidate Lawrence Shaba was declared winner for the Luangwa Mayoral By-election, Mr Lubinda cited that the Patriotic Front is going to bounce back in power in 2026 because it is the most organized Party.
“Patriotic Front took care of its people at all levels and so, they have remained loyal to the Party,” Mr Lubinda said
Mr Lubinda has since made an assurance that his party will take care of cadres from the United Party for National Development, who are sidelined by their Party and not doing anything.
“Banyala ku Luangwa! This is the same message that I will tell you in 2026 because the Patriotic Front remains popular and a party of choice,” he mentioned
He disclosed that people will therefore, see Bally (Hakainde Hichilema) trying to stop Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji to contest the Parliamentary By-elections in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies respectively, as they are scared of being beaten.
“As Patriotic Front, we are still popular and strong on the ground, and our people have remained loyal to the Party and we are sure, that in 2026, it will be a walk over to return power,” he added
Mr Lubinda noted that the UPND is losing elections to a party that still has no President, as he is just a caretaker.
Hypocritical liar….
It is good sportsmanship to congratulate the winner. The president avoided contradictions that would have watered down his prime message.
Am personally honoured by Bally’s statement herein and for the triumph of democracy.
Luangwa seat? Which seat?
If Laurence Shaba recontested, then A Nullification is NOT a Disqualification.
“The vacancy in Luangwa District was created as a result of the dismissal of the appeal on 24th June, 2022 by the Constitutional Court. Earlier, the Local Government Tribunal nullified the Luangwa Council Chairperson’s seat on 24th September, 2021. The seat which was held by Lawrence Shaba fell vacant after being nullified by the Local Court for alleged electoral malpractices which was exhibited during the 12th August, 2021 General Elections.”
Its like People are slowly coming to terms that HH and UPND will end up worse than PF….HH has a history of corruption and theft…he cant even expalin how he got his wealth
This is a very insignificant bye election, so don’t get excited, if you think this will sooth your August 12 drubbing and bruises, think again
Well said HH, a better candidate won. That how a politician must behave.
Compare to Ba Lvbinda statement: “Patriotic Front took care of its people at all levels and so, they have remained loyal to the Party,” Mr Lubinda said” This statement can be misintepreted differently.
general KANENE #5.1
>>> Lawrence Shawa’s elections were nullified due to the alleged electoral l practices. He went back and stood again and he has won. In other words, he was not disqualified. You people did not make a beef on Shawa’s matter. >>>> Lusambo & Malanji are in the same situation as their seats were nullified. Yet you guys have been crying that they should be disqualified to recontest. Can you see the corrupt double standards by HH and his Justice Minister who turned up in court to intimidate the Judge when he should not have been there. But the Judge stood his grounds.
Insoni bane
The fact that individual who had his seat nullified for vote buying and violence was allowed to contest by our very own courts is testament that our governance systems are broken.The phrase “RULE OF LAW” should never be used in Zambia.
As for the voters in Luangwa , perpetual poverty, poor health and educational services etc is just normal and very acceptable to them.
They don’t know any other form of existence or living…..
I have been saying this, but we are busy defining what nullification and disqualification means…….kikiki. Maybe in 20 years time we’ll look at the part(how can one be caught doing fraud and later allowed to recontest). Its morally wrong as a christian nation. Have faith anyway, Pepani, We’ll get their at some point in time.
Let’s wait for the big K and K and hope you will congratrate the winners whichever way it goes.
Lawrence Shaba abwelela Pamu pando. Congratulations!
As the president says……….
Valla jombo and go and campain for UPND………..
Soon the majority , even the ruminants of 1.8 will come to understand that the President and this UPND GRZ is not about cash handouts for food to mouth during elections , but……
For the longterm universal development of zambia………..