OUR CANDIDATE WAS OFFERED INCENTIVES BY THE UPND TO WITHDRAW – TONSE
Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General, Muhabi Lungu, has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to cancel the Mandevu Parliamentary by-election following the withdrawal of three candidates.
Mr. Lungu says cancelling the by-election will allow political parties, including the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, to identify replacement candidates and ensure meaningful competition in the election.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Lungu said the alliance will deliver a letter to the ECZ outlining its concerns over the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the three candidates.
Mr. Lungu further disclosed that the alliance’s own candidate withdrew from the race following alleged intimidation, threats and an offer of inducement aimed at convincing the candidate to withdraw.
He alleged that the UPND had been offering incentives to opposition candidates to pull out of the race, arguing that such circumstances raise serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
Mr. Lungu said cancelling the by-election would be the right and Christian thing to do, considering that Zambia is a Christian nation
He has further announced that the alliance will aggressively push for electoral reforms, arguing that it is unfair for candidates and political parties to spend resources on the adoption process and subsequently withdraw from the race just a week before polling day.
By Margaret Mwanza