It’s a sheer waste of money, – fumes Chikoya
By Adrian Mwanza
ANGLICAN Diocese of Central Zambia bishop Emmanuel Chikoya says the printing of ballot papers for the Mandevu parliamentary by-election was a sheer waste of public resources.
Commenting on the printing of ballot papers and the sudden withdrawal of three candidates’ days before Mandevu residents go to the polls on Thursday, Bishop Chikoya said Zambia was accustomed to wasting public resources.
“The country is becoming good at wasting money because millions have been lost just to print ballot papers only for people to withdraw at the eleventh hour,” he said.
He said what happened in Mandevu was uncalled for and a total abuse of public funds.
Bishop Chikoya said it was now clear that politicians had taken Zambians for granted.
“What happened in Mandevu is not a prudent way of wasting resources and people in these offices should know that positions come and go; therefore, they must be very careful,” he said.
Last week, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the printing and arrival of ballot papers for the polls slated for November 5.
“Yes, we did our part; the ballot papers were printed and are in the country, but I can’t give you the exact figure of how much was spent on the printing,” said ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga.
But Bishop Chikoya said there was no justification in spending huge sums of money if there was no need for another election.
“My call is for these political maneuverers to stop because the country is losing millions that can be channelled to other useful ventures that can benefit the country,” he said.
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