Economic and Equity Party leader Chilufya Tayali has urged the
United Party for National Development (UPND) to use every
available trick to defeat independent candidate Gary Nkombo.
Posting on his social media handle, Tayali said the ruling
party can lose election anyway else, but should use everything
including tricks outside the rules of the game to defeat
Nkombo.
“UPND can lose elections anywhere else, but not Mazabuka,
everything in and outside political books must be employed to
take it at all cost. This is very important.
Police in Mazabuka District over the weekend disrupted an
independent parliamentary candidate, Nkombo’s rally that was
scheduled to take place at Ndeke Ground in Zambia compound.
The incident led police officers to block him from officially
launching his campaign as an independent candidate and
dispersed his supporters using teargas.
Speaking when he addressed the media at his residence,
independent candidate Nkombo expressed his disappointment with
the situation, describing it as undemocratic.
He said the town wards were designated for his fellow aspiring
independent candidate, Playson Hachintu, with whom they had
agreed, through the signing of a letter that was also approved
by the ECZ, that he would use Mr. Hachintu’s space to launch
his campaign at Ndeke Grounds.
Nkombo said he was shocked to see armed police officers led by
Mazabuka District Police Deputy Officer Commanding Stable
Chisonga ordering him not to proceed with the rally, saying the
campaign timetable showed he was supposed to be in Nega Nega
and not in Zambia Compound.
After Nkombo produced a police permit to hold the rally,
Chisonga stated that the rally would result in a disruption of
peace and confusion.
Nkombo said this is the third time he has faced persecution,
and he is not moved by the happenings, as he has confidence
that he will win the elections without any challenges.
He has called on his supporters to remain peaceful and go out
to mobilize for more votes in the community.
Nkombo, who recently resigned from the ruling United Party for
National Development (UPND) following a fallout with the party,
is seeking election as an independent candidat
Nkombo will win the seat.