The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dismissed allegations circulating in the media that it issued instructions to the Zambia Police to arrest Patriotic Front (PF) aspiring candidate for the Lusangazi Council Chairperson Patrick Banda, over an alleged fake Grade 12 Certificate.
ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said at no time has the commission ssued instructions to the police to have the aspiring candidate arrested.
She said the allegations must be treated with the highest contempt.
Ms Luhanga however,said the Commission received a written complaint from the United Party for National Development (UPND) which questioned the successful processing of the nomination of the PF candidate based on an alleged questionable Grade 12 Certificate.
Ms Luhanga said the Commission guided that in line with the provisions of article 52(4) of the Constitution Amendment No. 2 of 2016, “A person may challenge before a court or tribunal as prescribed, the nomination of a candidate within seven days of the close of nomination and the court shall hear the case within twenty-one days of the lodgment.
“The Party was advised to explore the avenue to allow for the due process of the law to be exhausted accordingly.We further received correspondence from Zambia Police, Eastern Province Commanding Officer expressing interest to investigate the matter concerning the candidate’s Grade 12 Certificate.
In response to this request, the Commission guided the Police on the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act that make adequate grounds on challenging nominations and indeed elections on the basis of qualifications,” she said.
Ms Luhanga said the Commission will maintain its impartial stance in the conduct of electoral activities.
She advised aggrieved parties to utilise grievance procedures provided in the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act