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The Tonse Alliance has accused the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of conducting a raid on the law firm of its spokesperson, George Chisanga, and seizing funds meant for election mobilisation ahead of the August 13, 2026 elections.
Chisanga claimed that a contribution of K7,398,500 was made by wellwishers, and that K5.5 million had been utilized for polling agents and monitors while the reminder was to be deployed in rallies that was prepared in Southern Province for Mazabuka, Choma and Livingstone districts.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, Chisanga described the operation by the DEC officers as politically motivated and aimed at crippling the Alliance’s campaign machinery less than 48 hours before voting day.
He said the raid which took place at his law offices in Lusaka, involved the confiscation of vehicles, communication equipment and other resources.
Chisanga condemned the action, arguing that state institutions were being used to target opposition political activity.
“Honestly if the UPND believes in a free and fair election and I know they don’t, this challenge goes to them directly. These institutions don’t exist in a void, they report somewhere, they are given instructions somewhere,” he said.
Chisanga alleged that the DEC officers did not follow proper procedure and that no clear explanation was given for the seizure of items unrelated to narcotics investigations.
He further claimed that the timing of the raid was deliberate, coming at a critical point when parties were intensifying voter mobilisation.
“I know that what I’m saying is going to throw me into a fray but time has come for Zambians to stand and speak the truth about what is going on,” Chisanga said.
According to Chisanga, the confiscated resources included motorbikes and bicycles intended to help agents and monitors reach polling stations in rural areas, stating that the loss of the assets would directly affect their ability to deploy personnel on election day.
He called on all election stakeholders, including observers and civil society, to take note of what it termed state interference.
“All stakeholders who are following this election are called upon to be vigilant, to be resolute and to come in their numbers on that day of election, to come and vote for a candidate of their choice,” Chisanga stated.
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He described the upcoming vote as a defining moment for Zambia’s democracy, citing what he called a pattern of harassment against opposition parties during the campaign period.
Chisanga said the Alliance had seen clear signs from voters during campaigns that they wanted change on 13 August 2026.
“This election is a defining moment. From what we have seen since we started our campaign, Zambians have made a clear resolution about what they would like to see on the thirteenth of August twenty twenty-six,” he said.
Chisanga also raised concerns about possible last-minute adjustments to electoral rules and campaign procedures, saying they could disadvantage the opposition.
He warned that any attempts to manipulate the process would be resisted by voters and monitors on the ground.
He demanded the immediate return of all seized property and an assurance from Government that security agencies would remain neutral during the election.
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