Kabushi And Kwacha By-Elections To Go Ahead Following ECZ Approval

 The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that the by-elections in Kabushi and Kwacha will go ahead on the 21st of October this year.

The controversial elections will take place despite the ongoing court case including former Kabushi Member of Parliament (MP), Bowman Lusambo, and former Kwacha MP, Joseph Malanju. Both MPs are re-contesting their seats.

Mr Lusambo had previously won an election to become MP for Kabushi, however, the win had been nullified due to allegations of voter intimidation.

Meanwhile, Mr Malanju had also won an election but had failed to provide his Leaving Certificate and therefore his win was also nullified.

Initially, there were questions regarding whether the two MPs could run again due to the outcomes of their previous elections. However, yesterday, the Lusaka High Court announced that the MPs would be able to run for re-election.

Following the Lusaka High Court judgement, the ECZ announced that the campaign period would begin that day and last till 21st October when the elections would take place.

However, the cases regarding Mr Malanju and Lusambo’s pending court case concerning the validity of their disqualification are still pending.

Mwape Boaw, Sharon Newa and Catherine Phiri, three high court judges, announced their dissatisfaction with the ruling stating that the high court should not deliberate on constitutional matters.