ECZ campaigning for UPND -Tonse Alliance

By GIDEON NYENDWA

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has been accused of having become a cadre branch of the UPND and is now fully campaigning for the governing party in the Kawambwa parliamentary by-election slated for December 20.
Tonse Alliance spokesperson, Sean Tembo said after the chaotic nomination process that they went through, ECZ chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis on Monday held a youth conference in Kawambwa and the youth were paid a lot of money for attending.
Mr Tembo argued that when there was an election in an area, ECZ could not have activities without consulting all political parties participating in that particular election.
“ECZ went behind the backs of contesting political parties and undertook activities that constitutes electoral malpractice, this is in accordance with the Electoral Process Act which the ECZ are supposed to adhere to and implement,” he said.
Mr Tembo said ECZ the following day called for a meeting with traditional leaders in the same constituency and they were given hefty allowances for a two-hour consultation with the chiefs and the people that had accompanied them.

He said areas like Kawambwa where income levels were low, an allowance of K700 was more than enough to influence the outcome of an election.
Mr Tembo said the lawyers of the Tonse Alliance were in the process of writing to ECZ to challenge it on the youth conference and the meeting with chiefs.
And Andrew Bwali, the District Electoral Officer in a letter dated November 22, 2024 and addressed to Chief Munkanta said the chief could bring a retainer and 20 senior headmen or headwomen.
“Kindly note that the ECZ will pay to the chiefs an allowance of K700.00 each and 90 litres of fuel costing K2, 700.00. The chief’s retainer and the driver will each be paid a lump sum of K500.00. All Headmen/ Women will be given an allowance of K600.00 each and a transport