Jitters as Banda picks electoral agency boss

Zambian President Rupiah Banda has appointed the country’s Deputy Chief Justice to chair the electoral commission during this year’s polls, the local Post newspaper reported Wednesday.

The appointment of Justice Ireen Mambilima follows last month's resignation of another judge, Justice Florence Mumba, from the position.

But the main opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party said Justice Mambilima’s appointment was suspicious because she was being brought back after Justice Mumba was forced to resign by protesting employees, largely suspected to have been sponsored by “the powers that be”.

Justice Mambilima was the chair of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) during the 2006 tripartite elections.

Justice Mumba quit because of infightings and workers’ protests on allegations that the commission had illegally engaged an auditing firm – KPMG – to audit the ECZ at a cost of about $208,000 without following government tender procedure.

According to The Post, Justice Mambilima’s appointment was subject to ratification by the National Assembly when it resumes sitting later this month.

“The President has appointed Madam Justice Ireen Chirwa Mambilima to serve as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia,” The Post quoted a letter authored by the Clerk of the National Assembly.

A mercenary

The Post reported that according to a source from a church organisation that met President Banda over the problems at ECZ, Justice Mambilima would head the electoral body for only one year – to conduct this year’s elections – because “time is too short for a new person”.

The Presidency was not immediately available to comment on the matter.

Opposition PF party spokesperson Given Lubinda said Justice Mambilima’s removal from the ECZ after the 2006 elections was as a result of “not performing to the satisfaction of stakeholders”.

“What makes her now to be qualified? Is she coming as a mercenary or has she improved?” asked Mr Lubinda, a legislator in Mr Michael Sata’s party – the main challenger of President Banda in the forthcoming elections.

Despite the PF’s misgivings, the 158-member National Assembly will easily ratify Justice Mambilima’s appointment because 82 legislators belong to President Banda’s party, which also has several ‘friendly’ legislators from small opposition parties.

The election date is yet to be set, but President Banda, who is mandated to set and announce the voting day, hinted polls will be held before October.