FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPND Condemns Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Alleged Election Manipulation, Demands Immediate and Thorough Investigation
Contact : Cheelo Katambo
Deputy Media Director
Email: info@upnd.co.zm
October 29th, 2024
NDOLA- The United Party for National Development (UPND) is gravely alarmed by sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s recent admission, which suggests possible manipulation of Zambia’s electoral process under his leadership.
Lungu’s statement, wherein he confessed that senior Patriotic Front (PF) officials embedded within the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) questioned their unexpected loss in 2021, implies a deliberate attempt to rig the election outcome. Such admissions reveal a calculated scheme to undermine democracy, breach the trust of the Zambian people, and compromise the independence of our institutions.
The UPND categorically condemns any action that threatens the autonomy of the ECZ, a body mandated to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections. Any attempt to influence or manipulate its function is a direct assault on Zambia’s democracy and the will of its citizens. We therefore urgently demand a full and independent audit of ECZ operations under the previous regime to identify any complicit individuals and to hold them accountable. This investigation is essential to uphold the democratic rights of Zambians and restore faith in the integrity of our institutions.
Furthermore, these shocking revelations cast serious doubt on the legality of Lungu’s 2021 candidacy, raising critical questions about his eligibility and adherence to Zambia’s electoral laws. The UPND calls on relevant authorities to investigate these allegations thoroughly. Zambians deserve assurance that their democratic processes remain untainted by political interference, and we demand that any attempt to circumvent these processes is met with the full force of the law.
The recent revelations go beyond partisanship, exposing a deeply rooted abuse of power by the PF to entrench themselves at any cost. By placing loyalists in an independent institution, the PF demonstrated contempt for Zambia’s laws and placed personal ambitions above the nation’s well-being. The UPND stands resolute in its condemnation of this calculated assault on democracy, calling on all Zambians to demand accountability and truth from those who seek to serve them.
This scandal surrounding Lungu’s alleged insiders at the ECZ is more than a political blunder; it is a warning of the potential consequences of PF’s return to power. Should the PF be granted another opportunity to lead, a regime already proven willing to manipulate could become bolder, more ruthless. If reinstated, we must anticipate that they would take irreversible actions to ensure they are never again faced with the prospect of losing power, irrespective of the people’s will.
To vote back individuals like Mr Lungu or the PF as a whole is to open the door for even greater harm to Zambia’s democracy. The same administration that viewed democracy as a hurdle, seeking to entrench themselves through manipulation, must not be given the chance to threaten Zambia’s future. Let these revelations be a reminder to all Zambians of the values we must defend: integrity, transparency, and accountability. The UPND remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding our democracy.
(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM