Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUSAKA909
2008-09-10 14:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
BANDA ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 30 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9880 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0909 2541459 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 101459Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6246 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000909
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: BANDA ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 30 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
REF: LUSAKA 906
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000909
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: BANDA ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 30 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
REF: LUSAKA 906
1. (U) On September 9, Vice President Rupiah Banda announced
that the presidential by-election will be held on Thursday,
October 30, laying to rest any speculation that the Zambian
Government is still considering suspending the elections
(reftel). This poll date fully complies with the
constitutional requirement that elections be held within 90
days of President Mwanawasa's death, falling over two weeks
before the November 17 deadline.
2. (SBU) Banda also used his televised address as an
opportunity to thank Zambians for their prayers on behalf of
the late president as well as their peaceful conduct in the
immediate aftermath of his death. The Vice President spent
the remainder of his speech avowing his intention to respect
Mwanawasa's legacy and elaborating at great length on his
plans to improve Zambia's economy, sustain its agricultural
sector, contain inflation, develop transportation
infrastructure, and invest in needed energy generation. In
short, the announcement provided a suitable opportunity for
the presidential candidate to launch his own campaign.
3. (SBU) The October 30 poll date shortens the time available
for campaiging--which was already abbreviated by 21 days of
mourning--by an additional 18 days. This is most likely to
work in Banda's favor, given his access to government
vehicles and funding (whether rightly or not) and an arsenal
of almost two dozen Cabinet members to campaign on his
behalf. With less than 50 days to go before the election,
Banda's rivals (presumably with fewer human and financial
resources at their disposal) will be hard pressed to reach
remote areas with the same degree of success.
4. (SBU) Comment: Banda's presumptuous announcement was
really the responsibility of the still silent Electoral
Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The arrogant attitude of this
government indicates that Banda and his cabinet think that
this is "their" election to hold, if and when they want.
KOPLOVSKY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: BANDA ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 30 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
REF: LUSAKA 906
1. (U) On September 9, Vice President Rupiah Banda announced
that the presidential by-election will be held on Thursday,
October 30, laying to rest any speculation that the Zambian
Government is still considering suspending the elections
(reftel). This poll date fully complies with the
constitutional requirement that elections be held within 90
days of President Mwanawasa's death, falling over two weeks
before the November 17 deadline.
2. (SBU) Banda also used his televised address as an
opportunity to thank Zambians for their prayers on behalf of
the late president as well as their peaceful conduct in the
immediate aftermath of his death. The Vice President spent
the remainder of his speech avowing his intention to respect
Mwanawasa's legacy and elaborating at great length on his
plans to improve Zambia's economy, sustain its agricultural
sector, contain inflation, develop transportation
infrastructure, and invest in needed energy generation. In
short, the announcement provided a suitable opportunity for
the presidential candidate to launch his own campaign.
3. (SBU) The October 30 poll date shortens the time available
for campaiging--which was already abbreviated by 21 days of
mourning--by an additional 18 days. This is most likely to
work in Banda's favor, given his access to government
vehicles and funding (whether rightly or not) and an arsenal
of almost two dozen Cabinet members to campaign on his
behalf. With less than 50 days to go before the election,
Banda's rivals (presumably with fewer human and financial
resources at their disposal) will be hard pressed to reach
remote areas with the same degree of success.
4. (SBU) Comment: Banda's presumptuous announcement was
really the responsibility of the still silent Electoral
Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The arrogant attitude of this
government indicates that Banda and his cabinet think that
this is "their" election to hold, if and when they want.
KOPLOVSKY