Dear Editor,
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has in the recent past suffered a setback. This follows the nullification of some parliamentary seats of the PF Members of Parliament by the High Court judges.
The Members of Parliament whose elections in the August 12 general election were nullified are Bowman Lusamabo of Kabushi, Kwacha’s Joseph Malanji, Nakonde’s Luka Simumba, Chimwemwe’s Allan Banda and Lunte’s Mutotwe Kafwaya, among others.
The judges who presided over the election petition cases which culminated in the nullification of the parliamentary seats cited political violence and electoral malpractice.
The case of Mr Malanji is an exceptional one in that his election was nullified because the former Minister of Foreign Affairs doesn’t have the Grade 12 certificate.
What is mind boggling is that this year’s general election resulted in a combination of more than 400 parliamentary seats and the local government seats being petitioned by the United Party for National Development (UPND) losing candidates.
Last week, the election of Miles Bwalya Sampa, Tasila Lungu Mwansa and Christopher Shakafuswa of Matero constituency, Chawama constituency and Mandevu constituency respectively were upheld by the Lusaka High Court judge.
Some people and the stakeholders have expressed concern on the increased number of the PF parliamentary seats that have been nullified so far.
Other people have asserted that the nullification of the PF parliamentary seats will weaken the major opposition political party in the country.
The nullification of the PF parliamentary implies that by-elections will be held in the affected constituencies. What is certain is that the by-elections are costly and money has to be released from the treasury for the exercise.
Zambia’s economy is in a state of quagmire coupled with high levels of poverty. The national economy requires revamping as a matter of fact.
My take on the nullification of the PF parliamentary seats is that the general election was marred with political violence and electoral malpractice in some constituencies which resulted in the nullification of some seats.
Under all fairness, the elections are supposed to be held in a fair and free environment devoid of these vices.
Moving forward; the nullification of the PF parliamentary seats is a wakeup call to some people who aspire for public office to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner and desist from any form of electoral malpractice because it compromises the credibility of the election.
The good news is that the aggrieved individuals whose parliamentary seats were nullified by the High Courts have the right to appeal against the verdict. Mr Malanji, Mr Lusambo and Mr Mufwaya, among others have petitioned the nullification of their parliamentary seats.
The electoral laws are clear but some candidates overlooked them. Hence, the many cases of electoral fraud which led to the nullification of some parliamentary seats. This is very unfortunate to say the least. I hope this will never happen in the future elections.
ELEMIYA PHIRI,
Lusaka.
