Campaigns suspension unlawful – UPND

The United Party for National Development (UPND) says the suspension of campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala by the Electoral Commission of Zambia is unlawful.

Party Secretary General Steven Katuka in a statement says provisions of Section 28(2) of the Electoral Process Act No.35 of 2016 upon which the Commission is basing its decision permit it to amend the timetable only if it is necessary for a free and fair election and where the polling day has been postponed.

Mr Katuka says the Commission has not only exceeded the authority vested in it by law, but has also failed to ensure that it remains independent and impartial in the exercise of its mandate.

He says the ECZ has no power to suspend the campaign period.

Mr Katuka states that this is especially so for these elections whose date is set in the constitution and cannot be shifted.

He says by purporting to suspend the campaign period the ECZ has given itself nonexistent power to reduce to less that the prescribed three months,which is unlawful.

Mr Katuka adds that the purported suspension contravenes the clear provisions of Article 29 of the Constitution which guarantees candidates in an election the right to campaign.

He says the UPND therefore demands that the ECZ immediately withdraws its directive as it is unlawful.