James Muyanwa and Sylvia Mweetwa
6 September 2008
Lusaka — THE MMD has adopted acting President Rupiah Banda as its candidate in the forthcoming presidential election, following the elections by the party's national executive committee (NEC) in Lusaka yesterday.
And Mr Banda has declared that the MMD cannot afford to lose the forthcoming presidential elections because there is a lot at stake.
Mr Banda pulled a landslide victory and beat his closest opponent, Finance and National Planning Minister, Ng'andu Magande by 32 votes.
In declaring Mr Banda the winner at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), MMD electoral commission chairperson, Christopher Mundia said the acting president got 43 votes while Mr Magande had 11.
MMD Commerce and Industry chairman, Sebastian Kopulande and Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha got one vote each. Former Works and Supply minister Ludwig Sondashi had no votes.
Two former Republican vice-presidents, Pastor Nevers Mumba and Enoch Kavindele did not receive any vote and there was no spoilt vote out of a total of 56 votes.
Accepting his election, Mr Banda said MMD could not afford to lose the forthcoming presidential election and called for unity and hardwork in the party to ensure they retained the presidency.
Mr Banda said he was humbled by the NEC and party members' gesture to bestow him with the honour of standing on the party ticket during the elections.
"I ask all other candidates to join me. MMD must win the presidential election. We cannot afford to lose it," he said.
He said he was mindful of the fact that the elections were prompted by the death of President Levy Mwanawasa and he would continue where he left off saying he would not let the party down.
Mr Banda said victory for the MMD and the nation was assured if the party remained united adding that on his part, he is ready to work with everyone including those who had stood against him.
"I want to declare publicly that I want to work with all my comrades in the party so that we can unite the MMD and country," he said as all party members including the losing candidates gave a round of applause.
Mr Banda said all the party members were equal and there would be no one who would be more equal than others.
He said Government should provide help to the people and it should not be a hindrance to its people's development.
Earlier, party chairman, Michael Mabenga directed all the party organs and the general membership to support Mr Banda's candidature and campaign for him.
He called on the losing candidates to accept defeat and work with Mr Banda saying that the MMD was a democratic party and it could not afford infighting, and the members should bury their differences and move together.
Earlier, the otherwise quiet MICC was full of activities as cadres supporting Mr Banda marched around the centre chanting slogans and singing.
The placard-carrying MMD members, mostly women, who were joined by University of Zambia students, broke into a frenzy whenever Mr Banda came out of the conference room.
Throughout the six-hour meeting, outside the conference room, it was a one-man's show as supporters of other candidates were nowhere to be found. While Mr Banda's campaign posters were all over, there was no single one for other candidates.
Meanwhile three losing candidates conceded defeat and pledged to support Mr Banda.
Mr Magande, Liuetenant-General Shikapwasha and Mr Kopulande said that they would give Mr Banda total support and would campaign for him and ensure that the MMD won the elections.
Mr Magande said he was not bitter because in any election there was always a winner and a loser.
"This election is within the party and for this reason I am going to campaign for Mr Banda in my constituency in Chilanga because we can't afford to lose the presidential election," he said.
Gen Shikapwasha described the process as democratic and that the party has come out stronger than ever before.
"I will definitely support Mr Banda because it is now time to show the country that the ruling party is united and interested in contributing to the development of the country," he said.
Mr Kopulande said that the late President Mwanawasa's legacy had to move on and he would provide support for Mr Banda in the campaign for the Republican presidency.
"At the end of the day, we have a party and the nation at heart and at this stage we should all rally behind the MMD presidential candidate, Mr Banda," Mr Kopulande said.
Brian Chituwo who pulled out of the race yesterday described the decision to use the secret ballot as the best way of voting in a democratic government.
And MMD chairman of elections Mike Mulongoti said he was happy with the campaign as people campaigned in a free and fair environment and ruled out intimidation.
He said he was happy that those who lost accepted the results and that the MMD was the only party where elections can be held and people come out smiling.
Local Government Minister Sylvia Masebo said it was time for the party to work towards campaigning to win the forthcoming election for the benefit of the party and the nation.
And the National Pastoral Consultative Forum (NPCF) has commended the MMD NEC for casting its net wide in selecting a presidential candidate.
NPCF president Simon Chihana said in a statement yesterday that applications from Cabinet ministers, NEC members and ordinary members was a way of casting the net wide, which was a democratic practice.
Bishop Chihana however congratulated Mr Banda for having been elected and urged him to embrace even those who contested for the elections to be adopted as presidential candidate.
He said Mr Banda had proved that he was well placed than any other candidates and advised that those who lost in the NEC elections should rally behind Mr Banda in order to help him carry out his duties.
He said the Church wanted to see unity, discipline and hard work without any corrupt practices during campaigns for the forthcoming presidential election.
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