LUSAKA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's governing party on Wednesday said its splendid performance in the local government by-elections was an indication that Zambians were not ready to embrace the opposition.
The governing Patriotic Front retained all its seven seats in its strongholds and grabbed five of the nine seats previously held by the main opposition, the United Party for National Development in the opposition stronghold while one seat was in dispute and will be determined by the country's electoral body.
The country's electoral body, Electoral Commission of Zambia, held 16 local government by-elections on Tuesday, April 24.
Davies Mwila, Secretary-General of the governing party said the outcome of the elections was a sign that the party was still popular and that citizens still had confidence in its governance.
He told reporters during a press briefing that the resounding victory in the local government by-elections was a demonstration that people have rejected the main opposition party which has been trying to tarnish the governing party.
The governing party chief added that the victory was also a clear demonstration that the opposition parties have failed to provide proper checks and balances as they have concentrated on politics of bitterness, lies, hate and cheap propaganda.
The governing party, he said, would use the victory to enhance its mobilization program to ensure that it makes further inroads in opposition strongholds.
The governing party, formed by late President Michael Sata, has been in power since its victory in 2011 when it defeated the then governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy which had been in power for 20 years.
