By MAYA NTANDA, MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI, REBECCA MUSHOTA and CLEVER ZULU –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) will now focus on party mobilisation and recruitment of new members after its victory in three constituency by-elections, President Edgar Lungu has said.
The President has also commended PF supporters for the remarkable campaign that has delivered the Chawama, Senga Hill and Masaiti parliamentary seats and 10 out of the 21 local government seats in Tuesday’s polls.
“As your President, I am asking each one of you to step out, recruit new members, and energise our structures at every level. Therefore, to those who seek to distract us, we are saying: “Seleni, tubombeko!” he said.
President Lungu said in a statement that the PF and the opposition parties who participated in the just ended polls have set the democratic bar very high and shamed perpetrators of violence by showing that political competition does not mean enmity.
“Zambians can be proud of themselves for going about their political differences peacefully. This campaign will always remind us that co-existence in diversity is possible,” President Lungu said.
The outcome of the polls has shamed politicians who have invested in violence and sectionalism.
He said in any viable electoral democracy, the currency of political exchange should always be free and fair elections and that it is the only legitimate platform of competition.
“I wish to also commend the UPND for their formidable fight to try and win the elections. It is therefore necessary to emphasise that those parties wallowing in decidedly partisan opinion polls and hate commentary in some newspapers must be challenged to participate in elections so that we can together strengthen our democracy and allow our people to pass judgment on us,” he said.

• SWEET VICTORY: Patriotic Front Chawama Member of Parliament Lawrence Sichalwe is lifted after he was declared winner in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by CLEVER ZULU

The Head of State observed that the self-proclaimed popularity by some politicians was simply hot air because they have failed to put their claims to a test through the ballot.
“With humility of heart, I wish to congratulate those who participated in the just ended by-elections for running a good race. I also salute the people of Zambia, the voters, for ensuring that the campaigns were peaceful,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the party’s victory has come when reactional forces have mobilised to divide the nation, to instill fear in citizens, while trying to buy sympathy to cover up for their inadequacies.
“From the foundation of the PF, our departed leader refused to use uncivilised means to gain political power at the expense of national unity. To all those who seek our fall as PF and as a people, we seek to remind them that we exist to serve the masses and not misplaced interests designed to injure society.”
“In the coming days and months, I will roll our Presidential initiatives to guarantee food security to our people,” he said.
“To those who doubted PF’s capacity to emerge stronger and united after mourning the painful loss of our leader the late Michael Chilufya Sata, the answer is right before you. Three straight victories in the just-ended parliamentary by-election must speak volumes about our strength, resolve and most importantly, the people’s confidence in PF.”
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili thanked political parties and voters for conducting themselves peacefully before, during and after the parliamentary by-elections in Chawama, Masaiti and Senga Hill constituencies
Mr Kambwili said the conduct reflected political maturity the country has attained and affirmed the peaceful nature Zambia was renowned for world over.
In Chawama, PF’s Lawrence Sichalwe got 7,502 votes while his closest contender Charles Kaselwa of the UPND got 3,219 votes.
Chawama Constituency returning officer Helen Mubita declared Mr Sichalwe as duly elected Member of Parliament a few minutes after midnight.
UNIP’s Bywell Kaluba got 251 votes while Fourth Revolution candidate Benson Silwimba polled 44 votes with Martha Shawa of National Revolution Party getting a paltry 25 votes.
Mr Sichalwe soon after his declaration as victor in the election said it was time to continue with the projects started by his predecessor Mr Lungu, who was elected President in January.
The ruling party also scooped the Senga Hill seat through its candidate Kapembwa Simbao who beat his rival Giles Yambayamba of the UPND.
Mr Simbao polled 7913 votes against 4,570 for Mr Yambayamba.
Returning officer Rodwell Ngambi declared Mr Simbao winner of the Tuesday by elections at 11: 35 hours yesterday.
Totaling of the votes at Mambwe Mission Centre was delayed because of some vehicles carrying the ballot papers, being stuck due to heavy rains.
Mr Simbao described his victory as an exciting moment because it was believed that the UPND would win the elections.
Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe said the Senga Hill victory is a sign of good things ahead and that the PF has recorded 100 per cent success in the elections.
Mr Sikazwe said the victory is an indication that Zambians appreciated the PF and President Lungu, and that.
Detractors will be doing so in vain, while the ruling party continues to perform for the benefit of Zambians.
In Masaiti, PF candidate Michael Katambo polled 5, 032 votes, beating closest rival UPND’s Peter Mumba who managed 2,150.
After returning officer Modest Simuntala declared Mr Katambo as the duly elected MP at 04:27 hours at the Masaiti District Council Chambers, jubilant supporters led by campaign manager Jean Kapata lifted him shoulder high and sprinkled him with white powder.
Independent candidate Lyton Mokola got 41 votes, while UNIP’s Laison Musumali had 36 votes and 16 votes for Mobby Mutaya of the Fourth Revolution Party.
Mr Katambo dedicated his victory to President Lungu and thanked Ms Kapata for her work during the campaigns.