By 
The Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) says it was unable to file its presidential nomination due to unauthorized changes to its records at the Registrar of Societies.
PeP 2026 presidential candidate, Chanda Katotobwe, blamed changes made on May 8, 2026 and May 21, 2026 to records maintained under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security which categorised the party as a Church organization.
Speaking at a media brieging held at Protea Hotel in Lusaka, Katotobwe said the party was re-categorized as a church organization with principal activities designated as “Ministry and Preaching,” and that the position of Secretary General was reallocated to two new office bearers without party approval or supporting documents.
He said the alterations were discovered during the filing process on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026, at Mulungushi International Conference Center and party officials immediately went to the office of the Registrar of Societies to have the changes reversed.
“When we returned to the office of the Acting Chief Registrar of Societies at 14hours, he told us that our file shows that the changes to our Party records were made from an Internet Café, by an unknown person called Prince Care,” Katotobwe said.
He said Acting Chief Registrar, Jason Mwambazi, told them the government computer systems had not been hacked and confirmed that anyone could log into the system and change records, including those of the ruling UPND party.
Katotobwe said Mwambazi refused to reverse the changes, arguing they were authorized by Prince Care. However PeP requested copies of the supporting documents but was told the folder on the computer system could not open.
After a deadlock, Katotobwe said the party officials together with himself left the office at approximately 15:30hrs on May 20, 2026 during which Mwambazi then proposed that PeP choose one of the two unauthorized Secretaries General on the record so he could effect the change and re-designate the party back to a political party.
“Of the two unauthorized individuals appearing on our record, Mr. Njovu was readily available to sign our Adoption Certificate, whereas Mr. Handavu was deceased. We chose Mr. Njovu in writing, but Mwambazi insisted on Mr. Handavu despite being told he was deceased,” he said.
Katotobwe said on May 21, 2026, PeP returned to the nominations center to complete the process, however a Electoral Commission of Zambia officer, Mr. Sikota, received a revised printout from Harold Chiinda at the Registrar of Societies that reflected the deceased Handavu as Secretary General.
He said the response for retaining the deceased Handavu was that it was a decision by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
Katotobwe said the party then concluded there was a scheme to prevent its participation in the elections.
“167 Members of Parliament, 6 Mayors, 57 Council Chairpersons and 969 Councilors had paid nomination fees and been prevented from filing. It then became apparent to us, that there appeared to be a well-orchestrated scheme to prevent the Patriots for Economic Progress, from filing in nominations and participating in this year’s general elections, at all levels,” he said.
Katotobwe claimed that a total amount of nomination fees paid and wasted stood at K3,969,000 and this was in addition to substantial spending on mobilization over five years and ruined careers of candidates who resigned jobs to stand on the party’s ticket.
He requested that President Hakainde Hichilema instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary and the Acting Chief Registrar of Societies to restore the records.
Katotobwe also asked ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis ,to extend the nomination filing period for the party.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments