By Merlyn Mwanza
At no time has ECZ issued instructions to arrest the PF council chairman candidate for Lusangazi in Petauke, says Electoral Commission of Zambia.
In a statement availed to Daily Revelation, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga stated that ECZ noted with serious concern allegations circulating in the media that it has issued instructions to the Zambia Police to arrest PF aspiring candidate for the Lusangazi Council Chairperson seat over an alleged fake Grade 12 Certificate.
“The Commission would like to categorically state that at no time has it issued instructions to the police to have the aspiring candidate arrested and that this news must be treated with the highest contempt,” Luhanga stated. “The Commission would however like to confirm that: 1. We received a written complaint from the United Party for National
Development (UPND) who questioned the successful processing of the nomination of the PF candidate based on an alleged questionable Grade 12 Certificate. The Commission guided that in line with the provisions of article 52(4) of the
Constitution Amendment No. 2 of 2016, “A person may challenge before a court or tribunal as prescribed, the nomination of a candidate within seven days of the close of nomination and the court shall hear the case within twenty-one days of the lodgment”.
“The Party was advised to explore the avenue to allow for the due process of the law to be exhausted accordingly.”
Luhanga stated that ECZ received correspondence from Zambia Police, Eastern Province Commanding Officer expressing interest to investigate the matter concerning the candidate’s Grade 12 Certificate.
“In response to this request, the Commission guided the Police on the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act that make adequate grounds on challenging nominations and indeed elections on the basis of qualifications,” stated Luhanga. “The Commission reiterates its impartial stance in the conduct of electoral activities and wishes to remind aggrieved parties to utilise grievance procedures provided in the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act.”
