Dashed hopes – Casualties of the post presidential elections

By Kellys Kaunda

I have been reading and hearing voices expressing disappointment and a sense of betrayal at President Lungu’s “failure” to recognize and reward those that helped him retain his seat as Head of State. Some of these voices have even accused him of failing to keep PF together and govern the country in accordance with their expectations. In response, some have called for calm and patience allowing the President to settle down and “do his thing”.

This is neither the first time nor the last that such sentiments are expressed. Following every such election, voices and claims of this kind are heard. Now I am asking myself: are their any merits and demerits in this narrative? Are there any significant moral lessons we could share arising from there? My answer is that since the debate begins the same way and ends the same way (complaints and complaints), we need to dig beneath the discussion and pull out what I think is of substance.

First of all, an election is a complex machinery consisting of countless parts that include voters, candidates, participating political parties, election managers, campaign managers, funders, volunteers, observers, monitors and many more. Among those that participate are those that do so for different reasons. Some participate because they want jobs in government; some want contracts because they are business people while others do so because they seek political power.

Political resources, like any other resource available to mankind are not infinite – they are limited. The economics of politics state clearly that jobs and contracts are limited and subject to the availability of funds and public needs. Sometimes, there is a tendency by those expecting rewards to overrate the value of their contributions almost suggesting they single-handedly delivered the victory! Some feel very strongly about their qualifications to function as Head of State so much so that should they not win, they become extremely restless to the discomfort of many.

The bottom line is that the political, public and economic space is severely limited and very few needs and wants may be accommodated. For those not appointed, you may think the appointing authority knows you, but it might come as a shock to you, he does not know you! Sometimes we exaggerate our wisdom and raise it above the appointing authority, those around him and those he appoints. However, they may actually be better suited for those jobs than yourself because the appointing authority benefits from the advise of several institutions of the state before the appointment is made.

It’s difficult for some people to accept that they have been left behind especially when they had raised their hopes too high and overrated themselves. Eat a humble pie and accept the fact that you may never know why your hopes have not been realized. However, if it be of any comfort to some of you, sometimes the best men and women for these jobs have actually been left out and you might just be one of them. This is so because, by virtue of being human, the appointing authority can only do his best leaving the rest in the hands of the Almighty to deal with.