YOUTHFUL Zambian professor, Gibson Mwewa on Thursday evening lunched two books – the first in electoral fraud and the other on Cyber Crime.
Both books were authored by Professor Mwewa who is the global president of the Forensic Experts Bureau.
The launch of the two books at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, the attendance of among others Chief Mumena, Chief Kaputa, Copperstone University vice chancellor Prof. Sitwala Mundia, opposition party figures Chishimba Kambwili, Josephs Akafumba and Andyford Banda among others.
Ministry of Transport and Communication permanent secretary Misheck Lungu was the guest of honor at the launch.
In launching the first book – “Forensic Balloting – Combating Electoral Fraud” – Prof Mwewa argued that an electoral process founded on fraud, manipulation and cheating was only capable of producing leaders who becomes corruption masters and insecure.
He told the audience that in many cases, electoral frauds did not happen on the actual voting day but that fraud experts worked day and night way before elections.
The 35-year-old Prof explained that electoral fraud started with the manipulation of the electoral framework, which includes doctoring of laws, policies, procedures and institutions that govern the conduct of elections.
“The ugly tentacles of fraud, deception and manipulation are spreading in many aspects of society. Elections and the use of the internet are not spared by fraud and deceit. The prevalence of electoral fraud is widespread. It is experienced across the world. The developed countries also are affected. Electoral fraud entails the use of deception and manipulation in order for one candidate to win an election at the disadvantage of others. Electoral fraud is not just confined to the actual voting day through inflated or suppressed votes, no. It is beyond that,” Prof Mwewa said.
“Electoral frauds start with the manipulation of electoral framework, which include the deliberate and manipulative doctoring of laws, policies, procedures and institutions that govern the conduct of elections. Merchants of electoral fraud work around the clock seizing opportunities at every given stage of the electoral process including manipulation of the census process, manipulation of the identity card and manipulation of the voter registration exercise.”
He said electoral fraud does not happen overnight but it occurs in a coordinated process.
“It is an industry with experts specialising in manipulating the voting process. An electoral process that is founded on fraud, manipulation and cheating is only good at producing leaders who become corruption masters and insecure. Electoral fraud can lead to tension in society and in some case has resulted in the stagnation of natural development.”
Prof Mwewa said Zambia was a Christian nation which was recognised as heaven of peace and beacon of democracy.
“I want to take this opportunity to appeal to government, national leaders, political leaders, traditional leaders, the Church and civic organisations to continue working together on electoral matters, which are free of manipulation, corruption, and fraud,” said Prof Mwewa.
He said it was true leadership to respect the democratic wishes of the people without manipulation and deceit.
On Cyberspace, Prof Mwewa said the use of the internet had become a target for evil people.
He said criminals were targeting developing countries like Zambia to commit cyber crimes.
“Allow me to shift your attention to the cyberspace. Today’s world is lived on in the cyberspace. Technology has revolutionised our lives. Business is done on internet. Men are now peddlers of gossip on Facebook. Even witchdoctors are marketing themselves using internet. The internet and use of cyberspace was meant to make the running of business services more efficient and contribute to quality and health lifestyles,” Prof Mwewa said.
“Cybercrime, which involves the use of the electronic means to steal or harm innocent businesses or citizens is on the increase. Countries like ours, which are still developing are becoming prime targets for cyber criminal activities.”
Story by Melony Chisanga and Pictures by Salim Dawood
