Nullified Solwezi by-election: MMD shocked

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Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba

THE MMD has described the nullification of its Solwezi Central parliamentary seat by the Supreme Court as a shock to the party.

Deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu said in Lusaka yesterday that it was unbelievable that the party had continued to lose seats through nullifications.

“Our party has continued to lose seats through the courts and we do not understand the aim but it is not pleasant.

“We understand those are decisions by the courts and there is nothing we can do,” he said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday nullified the Solwezi Central parliamentary seat which was held by Lucky Mulusa.

A panel of Supreme Court judges comprising acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda, acting Deputy Chief Justice Florence Mumba, Hildah Chibombo, Munyinda Wanki and Elizabeth Muyovwe said in its judgment that the High Court misdirected itself when it dismissed the petition by Patriotic Front (PF) losing candidate Newton Malwa that it lacked merit.

Delivering the judgment on behalf of others, Ms Justice Mumba said Mulusa engaged in malpractices when he openly donated K1,000 to Lubwangeni Evangelical Church and thereafter asked for votes.

Mr Nyangu said his party would continue working hard and fighting for the good of the Zambian people.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema said the nullification of many elections was leading to wastage of resources on by-elections and indicated much about the credibility of Zambia’s electoral process.

Mr Hichilema questioned why parliamentary seats were being nullified if the 2011 elections were free and fair.

He called for constitutional reforms that would address what he termed ills in the electoral process.

Times of Zambia

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