Politics

UPND GOES AFTER MATERO, MANDEVU SEATS

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

UPND has petitioned the Lusaka High Court to nullify the election of Mr Miles Sampa and Mr Christopher Shakafuswa as Matero and Mandevu Members of Parliament (MPs) respectively.

The UPND alleged that the Patriotic Front used violence and corruption in the two constituencies in Lusaka.

According to court records, the UPND is demanding a recount of ballot papers in the two constituencies.

UPND candidate Mr Tom Michelo got 33, 598 against Mr Sampa who polled 55, 612 votes while Mr Shakafuswa scooped the Mandevu seat after amassing 56, 527 votes, beating his closet rival Mr Aaron Mulope who got 37, 644 votes.

According to the petitions filed separately by their lawyer Michael Moono of L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, the two losing UPND candidates are seeking similar reliefs which include a declaration that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) did not conduct the elections with due diligence and care.

Mr Michelo and Mr Mulope want the Lusaka High Court to declare the election of Mr Sampa and Mr Shakafuswa as null and void.

They are seeking a declaration that illegal practices committed by the PF or its agents, had an effect on the outcome of the results and that the same be nullified.

In his petition, Mr Michelo stated that Mr Sampa’s campaign was conducted without compliance with the provisions and principles of the Electoral Process Act no. 35 of 2016 and the Code of Conduct set out in the schedule to the Act.

He also stated that the former Lusaka Mayor distributed campaign materials and 10 kilograms of mealie meal to would-be voters in a bid to solicit for votes.

Mr Michelo alleged that the UPND agents were consistently not availed the Gen 20 documents which made it difficult for them to verify the vote tally figures.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulope in his petition stated that election results declaring Mr Shakafuswa as the Mandevu MP were not a true reflection of what the electorate would have voted had there been a level, free and fair electoral environment.

He maintained that voters were prevented from electing their preferred candidate.

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By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

UPND has petitioned the Lusaka High Court to nullify the election of Mr Miles Sampa and Mr Christopher Shakafuswa as Matero and Mandevu Members of Parliament (MPs) respectively.

The UPND alleged that the Patriotic Front used violence and corruption in the two constituencies in Lusaka.

According to court records, the UPND is demanding a recount of ballot papers in the two constituencies.

UPND candidate Mr Tom Michelo got 33, 598 against Mr Sampa who polled 55, 612 votes while Mr Shakafuswa scooped the Mandevu seat after amassing 56, 527 votes, beating his closet rival Mr Aaron Mulope who got 37, 644 votes.

According to the petitions filed separately by their lawyer Michael Moono of L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, the two losing UPND candidates are seeking similar reliefs which include a declaration that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) did not conduct the elections with due diligence and care.

Mr Michelo and Mr Mulope want the Lusaka High Court to declare the election of Mr Sampa and Mr Shakafuswa as null and void.

They are seeking a declaration that illegal practices committed by the PF or its agents, had an effect on the outcome of the results and that the same be nullified.

In his petition, Mr Michelo stated that Mr Sampa’s campaign was conducted without compliance with the provisions and principles of the Electoral Process Act no. 35 of 2016 and the Code of Conduct set out in the schedule to the Act.

He also stated that the former Lusaka Mayor distributed campaign materials and 10 kilograms of mealie meal to would-be voters in a bid to solicit for votes.

Mr Michelo alleged that the UPND agents were consistently not availed the Gen 20 documents which made it difficult for them to verify the vote tally figures.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulope in his petition stated that election results declaring Mr Shakafuswa as the Mandevu MP were not a true reflection of what the electorate would have voted had there been a level, free and fair electoral environment.

He maintained that voters were prevented from electing their preferred candidate.

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