Africanews
Tension is high in Zambia as the country prepares for polls set for Nov ember 18. Former president Kenneth Kaunda has boycotted the poll to protest a new constitution passed by the country's parliament. |
Zambians go to polls on November 18 amid uncertainty after former President Kenneth Kaundaubarred from contesting the election announced that his party would boycott the polls.
The new Zambia Constitution sets conditions for presidential candidates that rule out Dr Kaunda and his party deputy. Dr Kaunda is barred on the grounds that his parents were Malawians and that he has already served two terms.
Another clause, banning traditional rulers from involvement in public office disqualifies Dr Kaunda's deputy, Chief Inyambo Yeta from contesting the elections.
The ban on Dr Kaunda may cost Zambia dearly. The US announced in June that it is reviewing its ties with Zambia over the ban on Dr Kaunda. US aid to Zambia's impoverished economy exceeds $20 million a year, mainly for development projects, health care services and reform of the nation's overburdened health care system. Earlier this year, Britain froze about $15 million in aid for balance of payments support citing its concern over the constitutional changes.
The candidates for President are Mr Chiluba, Mr Humphrey Mulemba of the National Party and Mr Dean Mungo'mba of the Zambia Democratic Congress.
The main issues in the election are:
President Chiluba's party the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) has 124 seats in the 150 seat Parliament. Dr Kaunda's National Independence Party (UNIP) has 23 seats. Mr Mung'omba's National Party has three seats.
President Chiluba, despite the international aid freeze over the barring of Mr Kaunda and growing poverty at home remains popular and is assured of victory in the poll. He rose to national spotlight because at the time Zambia was a one- party state he stood out against the Kaunda regime. People who were opposed to Kaunda rallied around Mr Chiluba.
The opposition claims that President Chiluba also isn't a Zambian. They claim he is a Zairean. President Chiluba has challenged his opponents to name the village he comes from in Zaire.
President Chiluba, a former trade unionist won a degree in Political Science from a London university by correspondence last year. He is studying now for a master's degree.
Zambia remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The MMD claims it inherited almost empty coffers from the Kaunda regime. Mr Kaunda had used money during the campaign. There was a huge amount of money in circulation at the time causing hyper-inflation.
One of the main things the Chiluba government embarked on after taking power in 1991 was to rehabilitate the economy.
The main problem in Zambia's economy is the slow creation of employment. President Chiluba has instituted various reforms. In the past, the government used to market crops. Schools, hospitals, roads had collapsed. Children used to sit on the floor in many of Zambian schools. To transfer a child, the parent had to buy a bench for the new school. Hospitals were stinking. Now they are clean. Corruption isn't as rampant as during the Kaunda years.
To check the transport problem, President Chiluba allowed transport firms to bring in buses without paying duty. Now if you go to a bus station there is a choice. In the past Zambians used to bribe middlemen to get transport. One could stay in a station for five days without finding transport.
If he wins, this will be President Chiluba's last term. Under the new Constitution, Zambians are allowed only two terms. His likely successor is vice-president Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda. The other politician who can replace President Chiluba is Mr Sikota Wina, a former Minister whose name has been tainted by the opposition accusing him of dealing in drugs.
Mr Kaunda, despite the ban and claims that he is a Malawian continues to earn $8,000 pension annually from the government. He has two workers paid for by the state. His medical expenses are paid by the government. Last year, his wife suffered a stroke. She was sent to London at government expense.
Analysts expect that there will be no riots because of the Kaunda boycott. Instead his party will remain in the cold for five years. But President Chiluba will find it hard to prove to the international community that he is not a dictator after barring Mr Kaunda from the poll despite the fact that the latter could not have won.
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