ECZ gives in says will not allow Dora, Mwale, Sililo to recontest

Mounting pressure from the ruling Patriotic Front government has forced the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to give in saying it will not accept nominations from MMD’s Dora Siliya and her two UPND counterparts – Maxwell Mwale and Hastings Sililo.

ECZ Spokesperson Sylvia Bwalya announced in Lusaka August 10, 2013 that the Commission will not allow the trio to file in their nominations next Tuesday, August 13, 2013 for the September 5, 2013 by-elections. She said this follows a formal notification of the decision by the Judiciary.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ-has disclosed that it will not receive nominations from Dora Siliya, Hastings Sililo and Maxwell Mwale on Tuesday 13th August ahead of the 5th September by elections.

Ms. Bwalya has said the two opposition parties whose candidates have been barred are free to seek judicial guidance on the matter if they find it fit. The three candidates had their elections nullified due to malpractices and the PF agued in court that they should not be allowed to re-contest.

It means the two main opposition parties have between Sunday and Monday to find new candidates for Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi constituencies or file an injunction to stop the nominations on Tuesday and then seek judicial review.

And Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba who is also PF Chief Executive Officer on Saturday hit on the ECZ saying they were unprofessional. Kabimba said this in Livingstone in reaction to happenings at ECZ.

This is not the first time Kabimba is attacking the Commission, recently he accused it of being biased towards the opposition. This was when ECZ cautioned ZNBC for giving longer broadcast time to PF contrary to the electoral act.