LOSING UPND CANDIDATE MULALA FIELDS 15 WITNESSES TO EXPLAIN WHY SHE GOT 5, 262 VOTES AGAINST MABUMBA WHO WON WITH 13,852 VOTES
The Mwense Constituency election petition enters the Mansa High Court today, with 26-year-old Susan Mulala lining up 15 witnesses in a bid to have the election of David Mabumba as Member of Parliament nullified
Mulala, the UPND parliamentary candidate in the August 13 General Election, is challenging Mabumba’s election, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the poll.
Represented by lawyer Henry Soko of Lumangwe Chambers, Mulala has cited the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as the second respondent, alleging that the electoral body failed to ensure that the election was conducted freely and fairly.
Among her key allegations is that her polling agents were not provided with Gen-20 forms at most polling stations. She has also alleged that Mabumba conducted campaign activities at some polling stations on election day.
The 15 witnesses are expected to testify on matters relating to the conduct of the election and support the allegations contained in the petition.
Mulala, a University of Zambia Social Work graduate and founder of Bantu Bomwe, previously said during her campaign that Mabumba’s 15 years of experience as Mwense MP did not intimidate her.
Mabumba, who has represented Mwense for 15 consecutive years, is being represented by Edgar Banda and M. Kabwe of Bancroft Legal Practitioners.
In the August 13 election, Mabumba polled 13,852 votes, while Mulala received 5,262 votes.
The court will hear evidence from the parties before determining whether the allegations have been proven and whether they meet the legal threshold required to overturn the election result.
By Tv Yathu.