By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
THE Judith Kabemba led Democratic Party (DP) faction has sued the Electoral Commission Zambia (ECZ) for accepting the nomination of Fred Mubanga, sponsored by the rival group of Harry Kalaba, to contest the Kabwata Parliamentary By-election on the party’s ticket.
According to documents filed in the Lusaka High Court, Ms Kabemba, Justine Nkonge and Evans Chilambwe, who claim to be registered office bearers of DP, want the court to quash ECZ’s decision.
They are seeking a declaration that the Commission’s decision to receive the adoption certificate and certificate of compliance documents for Mr Mubanga as DP candidate for Kabwata by election signed by national secretary Precious Ntambu from Mr Kalaba’s camp is illegal for want of authority on the party. wThe trio seek an order of mandamus to compel ECZ to cancel the adoption of Mr Mubanga as the party’s candidate and to withdraw the adoption certificate and certificate of compliance as well as attendant documents signed by Ms Ntambu.
They seek an order barring ECZ from allowing Mr Mubanga from campaigning or participating in elections.
Ms Kabemba and others want leave to apply for judicial review if granted to act as a stay of the decision of ECZ and an expeditious hearing.
They stated that the rules of fairness were not followed by ECZ as it opted to favour the Kalaba camp against their group in total disregard of its earlier directive that DP candidate should not file adoption documents until the court process was resolved.
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