SHIWANGANDU UPND candidate Albert Munanga has petitioned the election of PF’s Stephen Kampyongo citing widespread malpractices, vote buying, bribery and corruption before, during and after the elections.

And losing Mafinga UPND candidate John Sichinga has petitioned the election of his PF counterpart Robert Chabinga citing malpractices.

In the first matter, Munanga stated that Kampyongo, who is also former Minister of Home Affairs, was not duly elected because the elections in the said Constituency were held in an atmosphere which was not free and fair due to widespread malpractices.

“At the instruction of the first respondent cadres belonging to the PF damaged a motor vehicle Toyota Landcruiser registration number ABG 6830 at Mukokile Camp on 21st May 2021. On 2nd June 2021 the first respondent acting together with Ms. Evelyn Kangwa (the district commissioner) directed the Police to impound a Fuso Fighter truck which motor vehicle was being used for campaigns by the Petitioner and the same was detained by the Police for 34 days to the detriment of the Petitioner. The Petitioner further says that the first respondent through a Mr. S. Bwali (the PF Council Chairperson candidate) and campaign agents masquerading as PF cadres assaulted Mr. Derick Simuchindo the United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate for Councillor in Mayembe Ward,” he said.

Munanga further alleged that he was denied permission to hold a campaign meeting at Matumbo Village on 10th July 2021 on Kampyongo’s and Kangwa’s orders.

“The first respondent in the company of Ms. Evelyn Kangwa opened a mortuary at Matumbo Health Centre on 6th August 2021 for purposes of inducing the electorate in the area to vote for him. On 6th August 2021 Andrew Kapasa Kalulu, the Parliamentary candidate in the same election standing on the Socialist Party ticket, was brutally assaulted and left unconscious by PF cadres and members of the PF in the presence of the first respondent…The first respondent commissioned a health post at Mutitima Village on 11th August 2021 and during the opening ceremony he threatened the community not to vote for the Petitioner if they were to be allowed to access services at the health post,” read the petition.

He further alleged that Kampyongo ordered the presiding officer at Matumbo Polling Station through a phone call to allow Andrew Kampyongo (his brother), Mwamba Matumbo, S. N. Mutate and others unknown to vote when they were not registered voters at the polling station.

“The first respondent forced poll staff at Matumbo Polling Station to allow an unregistered voter, Anthony Makwaya, to vote using his father’s voter’s card and national registration card on election day,” stated Munanga.

He further alleged that Kampyongo’s agent, the Headman of Macheleta Village threatened villagers in his village on election day with reprisals of removing them from the list of social cash recipients as well as confiscation of bicycles given to them by Kampyongo if they did not vote for him.

Munanga stated that Kampyongo was seen on election day giving cash handouts of K20 notes to voters on their way to various polling stations as an inducement to vote for him.

He therefore prays that it may be determined that the said Stephen Kampyongo was not duly elected or retained and the election was void and costs.

And in the other matter, Sichinga told the Lusaka High Court that Chabinga was not duly elected because the elections in the said Constituency were held in an atmosphere which was not free and fair due to widespread malpractices, vote buying, bribery and corruption.

He alleged that the Electoral commission of Zambia, who has been cited as the second respondent, being responsible for receiving and accepting or rejecting nominations for election as Member of Parliament did not undertake the requisite due diligence on Chabinga’s Grade 12 certificate presented with his nomination application as information has emerged that he may have used a forged certificate and therefore was not duly nominated as per requirement of the Constitution of Zambia.

He further added that the ECZ did not allow his party representatives to witness the arrival and verification of ballot papers when the same was delivered to Mafinga District Council offices.

He further stated that Chabinga’s national campaign team led by Joe Malanji gave cash handouts ranging between K40 and K300 to attendees of their rallies held at Thendele and Muyombe respectively on 8th August 2021.

Sichinga therefore prays that it may be determined that Chabinga was not duly elected or returned and the election was void and that the said Chabinga was not duly nominated as he did not have the requisite Grade 12 certificate.