Politics
Post-election petitions mount as Kaingu, Mulenga, Mwewa face challenges
The election of independent Mwandi Member of Parliament, Iris Kaingu has been challenged in the Lusaka High Court following the August 13 general election. UPND candidate, Sibeso Kakoma Sefulo, has petitioned the court seeking to nullify Kaingu’s election, alleging that the poll was marred by…
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The election of independent Mwandi Member of Parliament, Iris Kaingu has been challenged in the Lusaka High Court following the August 13 general election.
UPND candidate, Sibeso Kakoma Sefulo, has petitioned the court seeking to nullify Kaingu’s election, alleging that the poll was marred by bribery, corruption and undue influence of voters.
Kaingu won the Mwandi parliamentary seat with 6,595 votes, narrowly defeating Sefulo, who polled 6,110 votes.
In her petition, Sefulo alleged that agents of Kaingu engaged in bribery and undue influence of voters with the knowledge and approval of the independent lawmaker.
She has also accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of failing to properly conduct the election, alleging that presiding officers did not follow procedures when counting and announcing the results.
Sefulo further alleged that the secrecy of the ballot was breached at several polling stations, claiming that presiding officers voted on behalf of elderly voters against their wishes.
She is asking the High Court to nullify Kaingu’s election and order a fresh poll.
Alternatively, Sefulo wants the court to order a recount of the votes, as well as costs and any other relief the court may deem fit.
Meanwhile, former Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, has filed a petition in the Ndola High Court challenging his defeat in Ndola Central.
Tayali lost the seat to Republican Party candidate, Emmanuel Mulenga, by 819 votes, polling 10,840 votes against Mr Mulenga’s 11,659.
Tayali has cited alleged glaring electoral irregularities during the August 13 election.
The election of UPND’s Simon Mwewa as Lusaka Mayor has also been challenged.
NRPUP candidate, Gabriel Kibombwe, has petitioned the election, seeking its invalidation over alleged electoral irregularities.
Mwewa was declared winner with 200,029 votes against Mr Kibombwe’s 195,041.
Kibombwe alleged that various irregularities characterised the mayoral election and wants the court to invalidate the result.
The respondents will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in court.
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