ECZ incapable of conducting free, fair elections -Nakacinda

By BARNABAS ZULU

RAPHAEL Nakacinda, the Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, has warned that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is incapable of overseeing free and fair elections in its current state, stating that the commission had been turned into a cadre branch of the UPND.
Mr. Nakacinda has stated that the ECZ’s current leadership is compromised, claiming that many of its officials are known supporters of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
“The ECZ in its current form cannot superintend over a free and fair election,” Mr. Nakacinda said at a press briefing on Monday. “They have already taken a partisan position, and we are not surprised, as many of them are just cadres who openly wore UPND party regalia and still do,” Mr Nakacinda said.
Mr. Nakacinda’s comments are as a result of ongoing controversies surrounding the ECZ political biasness, including its decision to call for by-elections in areas where legal matters were still pending in court.
He described the ECZ’s decision to conduct parliamentary by-election in Kawambwa as a total disrespect of the law, warning that the actions of the ECZ could have dire consequences for the country’s peace and security.
“A time is coming for each one of them to be answerable and accountable for their deliberate and calculated conduct,” he added.
Mr. Nakacinda also addressed broader issues affecting the Zambian political landscape, accusing the Judiciary of being compromised under the leadership of Chief Justice Mumba Malila.
“In that letter [to Chief Justice Malila], we asked if he has consciously elected to become an extension of Community House, the UPND political party,” Mr. Nakacinda said.
He further criticised the judicial system for its handling of various legal matters, including the controversial removal of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lillian Siyuni, and the dismissal of three judges.
“Zambia is now a laughing stock in the Commonwealth and the region,” Mr. Nakacinda asserted.
Mr. Nakacinda also took aim at the government’s push for electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 elections, claiming the proposed changes were designed to perpetuate injustice.
He rejected the reforms proposed by the UPND-led government and warned that they were not in good faith.
“The amendments being proposed are meant to perpetuate injustice,” he declared.
“We will not accept any reforms done in haste before 2026. The Zambian people need to be properly consulted,” Mr Nakacinda said.