By-elections, my viewpoint

By winning the Mufumbwe by-election, the Patriotic Front (PF) have proved that for all their sins, both real and perceived, they do not lack a spine — and still less a communal belief in their ability to win the most formidable odds.

The PF went into this election with all signs pointing to another loss in North Western Province, a vast area where they have had no representation in parliament. They came up against a combined force of the Movement for Multi-party (MMD) and the United Party for National Development (UPND). But with this victory, they have shown that they are a force to reckon with in the local politics. According to media reports, Stephen Masumba got 8,135 votes, defeating his closest rival from the MMD, Stafford Mulusa who had 5,468 votes.    

Despite the undesirable way in which the by-election came about, it was a litmus test for the PF to convince voters in this part of the country that they too should jump on the boat.  I am not a fan of such elections caused by personal ambitions rather than love for the nation. If Masumba loved this country and the people of Mufumbwe, he would have stuck to his party and save the billions of kwacha that was poured into this election. The by-election in Mufumbwe was unnecessary considering that Masumba went against his party rules and regulations by accepting a job in the government.

By elections are needless ventures that cost our government billions of kwacha needed in the education, health and other social sectors of our country. Public service delivery in this country is in a crisis. Schools record well over 80 pupils in a class against one teacher. Long queues are a common feature in our clinics, with many citizens opting to treat illnesses in their homes because of lack of confidence in public health institutions. This country needs these resources wasted in bye-election to deal with the various challenges facing our people.  

Too many of our people are denied access to services such as health and education. The hardships endured by people in poor communities are often hidden and thus perpetuated by the statistical averages on which decisions about resource allocation are based. Because averages lump everyone together, the poverty of some is obscured by the wealth of others. One consequence of this is that people already disadvantaged remain excluded from essential services.

The PF government must pull its energies and resources to eradicate these inequalities that have weakened our society. The PF won the 2011 tripartite elections on the premise that they will promote collective dreams as opposite to individual visions. By winning the Mufumbwe by-election, the people in that area have given Masumba a job and an income but there is no immediate benefit for them. Votes have been counted and the PF victory secured, but the local people are back to the real world facing the same poverty that has been haunting them together with their children. Their children need education, better health services and above all better life.

If I was given a chance to change the way to run affairs of this country, one thing I would change would be by-elections. They are unnecessary and a waste of resources! Surely, there should be a better way of filling vacancies created by either a resignation or death. A by-election is not anywhere near that solution.