By KETRA KALUNGA and KALOBWE BWALYA
MAINTAIN the same candidate because if you change then it means that you instigated the withdrawal of United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Francis Lubanda from the case, National Democratic Change (NDC) has challenged UPND. To Page 4
Party President, Saboi Imboela said immediately the UPND changes its candidate, Zambians would know that they were behind the withdrawal that has caused the cancellation of the Kabwata by-election.
Ms. Imboela said in an interview the UPND should field the same candidate, Andrew Tayengwa if they didn’t have anything to do with stepping down of Mr. Lubanda from the race.
‘’It’s very unfortunate that the Kabwata by-election has been cancelled, this is the fear that we had just when UPP candidate withdraw from the race we feared that this was going to happen,’’ she said.
If the UPND is going to change the candidate it means that they instigated this resignation just so that they can change the candidate because they know that they have a very very unpopular candidate who is definitely going to lose the election, she said.
She has also called for the repeal of article 52 (6) to avoid having an election cancelled because of a resignation.
Ms. Imboela explained that it was understandable to cancel an election when a candidate dies but not when one has resigned because by so doing the country is encouraging irresponsible behavior in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has cancelled the Kabwata parliamentary by-election following withdrawal of United Prosperous Party (UPP) candidate, Francis Libanda.
Chief Electoral officer Patrick Nshindano announced at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the commission is bound to abide by the constitution.
Mr Nshindano stated that the cancellation of the Kabwata by-election is costly both to the commission and political parties that had already filled in their nominations papers.
He said the candidate sought to withdraw under the article 52 ( 6) of the laws of Zambia.
And Mr Nshindano said the commission also recognises that this process may inconvenience stakeholders’ especially political parties that had successfully fielded candidates as they will be required to file fresh nominations.
He said the resignation of Mr Libanda comes with unwarranted costs as the already printed ballot papers are a cost that needs to be paid for in addition to other electoral activity costs.
He said Political parties are further called upon to thoroughly scrutinise candidates they intend to field in any election to avoid a waste of resources and other inconveniences caused to the Commission, Political Parties and other stakeholders.
He disclosed that with the foregoing, stakeholders may note that there is an urgent need to review the electoral laws to enhance the integrity of the electoral process and safeguard scarce public resources that could have otherwise been used for other developmental programmes.
Mr Nshindano said the Commission working with other stakeholders will soon embark on a thorough review of the electoral laws in order to enhance the electoral process towards the 2026 general elections to avoid unwarranted costs.
Mr Nshindano disclosed that the ballot papers are expected to arrival in the country today from Dubai, however the commission will have to go back to the drawing table.
He said the commission will however announce the new date for fresh nominations and the campaigns have since been suspended.
However, polls for Liangati and Sokotwe wards will proceed as schooled on January, 20th, 2022.
