UPND Shocked By Cancelled By-Election – Mweetwa

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has said it is shocked by decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia  (ECZ) to cancel the upcoming by-election in Kabwata. 

UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said that while the party had the utmost respect for the constitution, it felt the ECZ should have allowed the vote to go ahead. Nevertheless he said the UPND would be ready to resume campaigning at any time. 

It comes after an announcement by the ECZ on Monday that campaigning for the by-election would cease immediately and nominations be re-opened, following the withdrawal of United Progressive Party candidate Francis Libanda from the race.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano explained yesterday that all candidates for the by-election would have to reregister and pay a fresh nomination fee.

He added that “Political parties are further called upon to thoroughly scrutinise candidates they intend to field in any election to avoid a waste of resources and other inconveniences caused to the Commission, Political Parties and other stakeholders.” 

Other political parties have also expressed have their dissatisfaction with the decision, with Socialist Secretary General Cosmas Musheke Musumali accusing the ECZ of hijacking the constitution and electoral process. 

The Socialist Party’s candidate called Tripher Ng’andu called the move a waste of taxpayers’ money. He told ZNBC News that there was a need to reform Article 56 of the constitution which requires nominations to be re-opened if a candidate withdraws from the race or dies.