Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Defense and Justice Minister Edgar Lungu
The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to find an alternative way of transporting ballot papers if PF Presidential candidate Edgar Lungu does not relinquish his Defense Ministerial position.
Speaking when she addressed a rally at Nadalitsika School Ground in Chipata, Ms Nawakwi has observed that the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) which is used to air lift ballot papers to and from remote places in the country which falls under Mr. Lungu and that chances of electoral materials being compromises are high.
She explains that Defense Service Chiefs are usually political appointees who would want to serve their jobs by helping Mr. Lungu to secure victory hence the need for either the Minister to resign or the commission finds alternative transport to avoid any suspicion from both the voters and candidates.
The FDD leader also notes that elections must not only be said to be free and fair but must be seen to have been to avoid any conflicts after the results are announced.
The opposition leader furthermore notes that in an event that Mr. Lungu refuses to heed to the demand for him to step aside, it is a demand that the ECZ should find an alternative impartial transporter to air lift election materials and not the usually used ZAF planes.