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More losing candidates have petitioned the Lusaka High Court seeking the nullification of parliamentary election results, citing alleged violence, intimidation, electoral malpractice and breaches of electoral procedures.
Among the latest petitions is one filed by UPND candidate for Mwenzo Constituency, Musingwa Siame, challenging the election of NRPUP’s Luka Simumba.
Simumba was declared winner after polling 9,002 votes against Siame’s 4,075 in a constituency with 36,457 registered voters.
Siame alleged that “the Mwenzo Parliamentary Constituency was engulfed by violence and varied forms of electoral malpractices and other conduct proscribed by the Electoral Code of Conduct”, which he claims were perpetrated by Simumba, his agents and supporters, including members of NRPUP.
Read more: Post-election petitions mount as Kaingu, Mulenga, Mwewa face challenges
The alleged malpractices included vote buying, distribution of building materials and food, intimidation of voters, polling staff and Siame’s agents, as well as unauthorised entry into polling stations, according to the petition.
Siame is seeking an order nullifying Simumba’s election and disqualifying him from contesting the resulting by-election.
In Lusaka Central, Resolute Party candidate Charity Chanda Lumpa has challenged the election of Musaiwale Mlewa, alleging that the electoral process was not conducted in accordance with principles of transparency and credibility.
Lumpa alleged that after the Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended vote counting and totaling on Aug. 14, her party agents were evicted from polling and totaling centres.
She claims the eviction left ballot papers and other election materials in the custody of security officers who were not accredited to handle them.
Lumpa further alleged that the ECZ resumed counting and announcing results later that day without giving the evicted agents sufficient time to return and verify the integrity of the election materials.
She also claimed her agents were denied access to Gen 20A forms from 56 of the 114 polling districts.
Lumpa is asking the court to declare Mlewa’s election null and void and award costs against the ECZ.
Meanwhile, in Mambilima, UPND candidate Nasir Kashiba has challenged the election of NRPUP’s Jean Chisenga, who was declared winner with 8,159 votes against Kashiba’s 4,142.
Kashiba alleged that Chisenga, his agents and supporters used violence, threats and intimidation against voters, electoral officers and polling staff.
He further alleges that on Aug. 12, Chisenga, accompanied by masked men and NRPUP cadres, stormed the Mwense Town Council chambers, where the District Electoral Officer was stationed.
According to the petition, the officer was threatened and intimidated over allegations that he had opened ballot boxes and pre-marked ballot papers.
Kashiba is asking the court to declare Chisenga’s election null and void and order a fresh election.
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