- November 26, 2024
- Posted by: Admin
- Category: Press Release
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has noted with concern sentiments and misrepresentations contained in the statement issued by Mr Sean Tembo , as well as various media reports, relating to the nomination of the New Congress Party (NCP) candidate.
The PEP President and TONSE Alliance Spokesperson Mr Sean Tembo, claimed in a statement issued today, that they had produced Annual Returns for NCP for 10 years. The Commission refutes these claims, as there were no Annual Returns save for the letter to ECZ which was displayed on a phone.
The undated letter received on the 18th of December 2023, addressed the Chief Electoral Officer requesting for acceptance of their adoption certificate. However, the certificate contained different names from those of the Registrar of Societies and used during nominations for the Mayembe ward in Shiwangandu district and Kapamba ward in Mpika, held on 23rd January, 2024.
TONSE Alliance also claims that the list of office holders that was being used by the Commission had names written in pen. This is false as the ECZ officers had a printed document from the Registrar of Societies.
With regard to the allegation that ECZ was left with no option but to accept the nomination for NCP, the Commission wishes to state that there was no application for nomination from TONSE Alliance but rather from NCP. The Returning Officer was not forced to accept the nomination for NCP instead; the Returning Officer after due consideration accepted the nomination papers from NCP for further scrutiny.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia is dismayed with the conduct of the officials who stormed the nomination centre without accreditation, accompanying the NCP aspiring candidate during the filing in process. Their conduct was thuggish and unbecoming. The notable individuals involved included Ms Jean Chisenga Member of Parliament for Mambilima Constituency, Mr Celestine Mukandalila who claimed to be the NCP lawyer, and Mr Peter Chanda, among others.
The Commission takes great exception to the display of this conduct which is a breach to the electoral process and the Commission is considering taking legal action against the culprits.
The public is hereby urged to ignore the insinuations with regard to the statement issued by Mr Sean Tembo and other media platforms where it is alleged that the Commission intends to nullify the nominations for the NCP candidate. These allegations are entirely false, unwarranted and meant to mislead and misinform the general public.
Sylvia Bwalya
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
For/The Commission
ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA