By Kamuti Muyambela
The Ndola High court has nullified the Kabushi and Kwacha seats in Ndola and Kitwe, held by Bowman Lusambo and Joe Malanji respectively.
And the High court has upheld the election of Tasila Lungu as duly elected member of parliament for Chawama constituency.
Ruling UPND losing candidate Bernard Kanengo petitioned Lusambo over malpractices before and during the August 12, 2021 general elections.
Lusaka High court judge Edward Musona sitting in Ndola nullified the seat as Lusambo did not disassociate himself from his militia known as the Nato forces, which was spreading violence in the area.
The judge said Lusambo was aware of the violence, which his petitioner successfully challenged.
Among the issues Kanengo raised included how at one point he hid at a Mosque after the Nato forces searched and chased after him, saying the Electoral Commission of Zambia should not have declared Lusambo as winner as he breached the electoral code of conduct.
Kanengo told the court that the Nato forces poured hot porridge on his supporters in Masala, and that Robson Kapambwe and Andrew Mulenga were attacked by the Nato forces after they were seen wearing UPND regalia.
Lusambo on his part denied charges of bribery and that he gave K4000 to young men and promised them more once they had voted for him.
With Malanji, the court ruled that he did not qualify to stand owing to the fact that he did not have a Grade 12 certificate.
He said he would appeal, arguing that the ECZ allowed him to stand.
