Tonse protests cancellation Mandevu poll

...as it demands an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Daniel Chisenga's withdrawal after concerns about threats to his safety, names Obvious Mwaliteta, the Lusaka Province Minister as one who threatened its candidate with a charge of unbailable offence if he was going to resist the offer to withdraw By BARNABAS ZULU THE Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance and the Forum for DemocrACY AND Development (FDD) have jointly rejected the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) decision that the UPND candidate in the Mandevu Parliamentary by-election, Adrian Banda should be declared unopposed following the withdrawal of its candidate Daniel Chisenga from the race following threats on his life and that of his family. The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance and the FDD have instead demanded that the ECZ should postpone and reschedule the November 5 Mandevu parliamentary by-election so that it can find a new candidate to allow the alliance to participate in the by-election. And during a media briefing yesterday, Muhabi Lungu, the Tonse Pamodzi secretary general played an audio recording of a conversation between himself and Mr Chisenga, which he confirmed the candidate's account of the threats he had received before deciding to withdraw. Mr Lungu and Nathan Mulonga, the FDD secretary general have also demanded an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Chisenga's withdrawal, alleging that concerns had been raised about threats to his safety. In a letter dated October 30, 2026, addressed to ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Mulonga and Mr Lungu said the Commission should establish whether the withdrawal of Mr Chisenga was authentic, voluntary and conducted in accordance with electoral requirements. The two officials have asked the Commission to provide a copy of the withdrawal notice attributed to Mr Chisenga, indicate when and how it was received, and clarify the action taken by the returning officer. "We ask the Commission to provide FDD with a copy of any withdrawal notice attributed to Mr Chisenga, identify when and how it was received, and confirm the action taken by the Returning Officer," Mr Lungu and Mr Mulonga said. Mr Lungu and Mr Mulonga have called on the ECZ to confidentially engage Mr Chisenga to establish whether threats, coercion, inducements or other forms of improper pressure influenced his decision. "If it is found that the FDD candidate, collectively supported by the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, was put in an unattainable situation for him to continue, we strongly request that the elections scheduled for 5th November be put-off and rescheduled for a time in which we can be given an opportunity to identify another candidate," they stated. They argued that proceeding with the election under the circumstances would undermine the principles of a free and fair electoral contest. "The Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, standing under the vehicle of the FDD, seeks a transparent process that protects both the candidate's freedom of decision and public confidence in the electoral system as well as that of the Electoral Commission of Zambia," they stated. They said anything falling short of the required standards would be a travesty of justice and undermine the alliance's demand for a fair and level political playing field. And yesterday, Muhabi Lungu said the UPND was determined to return Zambia to a one-party state and that is why it has embarked on a crusade to bribe, threaten and indeed arrest any citizen willing to challenge them either through the ballot or by way of checks and balances. Mr Lungu, said threats and bribery had forced parliamentary candidates in the Mandevu by-election to withdraw from the race to pave way for the UPND candidate Adrian Banda to sail through unopposed. He accused Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta as being among those who threatened Mr Chisenga, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance candidate who was standing under the FDD. Mr Lungu said Mr Chisenga had personally informed him that Mr Mwaliteta, who is also Lusaka Province UPND chairperson had telephoned and threatened him with arrest if he did not withdraw from the race. "He (Chisenga) told me that Mr Mwaliteta called him and told him that if he did not accept the offer and withdraw from the race in these remaining days, he would be arrested on voting day and slapped with non-bailable offences," Mr Lungu said. He disclosed that the threats of unknown reprisals were also extended to Mr Chisenga's family, who were reportedly warned that they would also face difficulties if the candidate was sent to prison. "It was not just about Daniel. His family was also threatened. He was made to understand that his family would not have it easy if he was sent to prison," Mr Lungu said. Ends.

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