Number of parliamentary petitions hits 70

The number of losing parliamentary candidates petitioning the Lusaka High Court for alleged electoral malpractices has risen to 70. This is unprecedented in the history of the country’s multi-party democracy.

The  latest notable petitioners include losing Chongwe UPND candidate Sylvia Masebo, who is challenging PF’s Japhen Mwakalombe .Former Lusaka deputy mayor Portipher Tembo who lost to  PF’s Lawrence Sichalwe under UPND ticket also has also filed a petition.

On Monday, 29 losing parliamentary candidates  lodged in their petitions, among them, losing Lusaka Central UPND candidate Charlotte Scott, who is challenging the election of PF’s Margaret Mwanakatwe, while former Defense minister Richwell Siamunene is challenging the election of UPND’s Gift Sialubalo for Sinazongwe Constituency.

Mulenga Sata, who stood in Kabwata on the UPND ticket, has petitioned Given Lubinda’s election while Emmanuel Munaile has petitioned the election of former mines minister Christopher Yaluma for Malole Constituency.

.Chipangali losing candidate Champion Tembo has petitioned the election of former sports minister Vincent Mwale while Kasalwe Cheswa is challenging PF’s David Mabumba’s election in Mwense Constituency.

Former home affairs minister Davies Mwila, who is PF losing candidate for Chipili, is challenging Lewis Chabi, while Austin Liato has sought the nullification of UPND’ s Sitwala Sitwala’s Kaoma seat.

PF’s Steven Masumba of Mufumbwe is challenging UPND’s Elliot Kamondo, while Sibongile Mwamba (UPND) has taken on PF’s winning candidate Kelvin Sampa in Kasama Central.

Others that have petitioned include Shiwang’andu UPND candidate Elias Mubanga who is challenging the re-election of PF’s Stephen Kampyongo, Mongu Central PF candidate Joseph Mulyata, Kanyama UPND losing candidate Samuel Mwale and Petauke Central losing candidate Mike Tembo.