By SYLVESTER MWALE –

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary general Davies Chama says the victory in the presidential election is a stepping stone in consolidating unity and strength of the ruling party ahead of the 2016.
Mr Chama said the ruling party was ready to forge ahead as one family following the success in the Tuesday’s presidential election.
He, however, expressed sadness that the voting pattern did not reflect the national character after the ruling party performed poorly in Southern Province.
Mr Chama said in an interview yesterday that president-elect Edgar Lungu would concentrate on uniting the party including members who had supported other candidates during the extra ordinary party conference.
Mr Lungu was declared winner yesterday after beating 10 other candidates in a race that saw him beat his closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Chama said Mr Lungu was ready to work with all the members in uniting the party and ensure that it emerged even stronger after the elections ahead of the 2016 general elections.
The secretary general, however, said that the party had received information that some people were being harassed in Southern Province on condition that they were not originally from that area.
“We have received sad news and if that is what is happening, then we are really sad because that should not be the case.
“We are reliably informed that some people are closing shops of the non-Tongas in Southern Province so that they can leave. This is sad and it should not be the case,” Mr Chama said.
Fourth Revolution president Eric Chanda has called on the incoming government to empower the Electoral Commission of Zambia with more powers to penalise perpetrators of violence.