BE OBJECTIVE, CHURCH URGES FOREIGN OBSERVERS

BE OBJECTIVE, CHURCH URGES FOREIGN OBSERVERS INTERNATIONAL observers should ensure objectivity in their reporting on the elections instead of reporting for the sake of it, the church has said. Independent Churches in Zambia (ICOZ), President, Bishop David Masupa said reports have shown that undeveloped countries are manipulated by international observers which was unfortunate. Bishop Masupa said in an interview that once foreign observers make a choice among those contesting the elections, their reporting is automatically biased as it is tilted to the preferred candidate. He said the foreign observers deployed in the country have performed fairly well but needed to do more especially on the lives lost before and during the elections. “The loss of lives in Lusaka and North-Western Province of which a PF provincial chairperson was a victim was very grave, we expected as the church the international observers to speak more on the grave matter such as loss of life,” he said. Bishop Masupa also said the church expected the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to act immediately on the polling station in North-Western Province where Mr Jackson Kungo, the Patriotic Front provincial chairperson was killed by a mob. Meanwhile, Bishop Masupa urged all those who contested the elections that this is not the time for retribution but unity. He said the country has passed through a lot of regional divisions based on tribe hence the need for Zambians to emerge as one people out of the elections.  “We believe as a church that this is the time for us to call for unity, to promote peace amongst ourselves and put the elections behind us as we forge ahead for development,” Bishop Masupa said. By KETRA KALUNGA