PF MOVES TO BLOCK NEW UPND MP

THE ruling Patriotic front (PF) in Lusaka yesterday petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini not to swear in newly elected Sesheke UPND Member of Parliament Romeo Kang’ombe as he was allegedly elected through violence and intimidation.

A Daily Nation crew which rushed to Parliament building found PF members from seven districts chanting songs on Parliament grounds yesterday in full view of police.

The PF members, who were led by Mandevu Constituency chairperson Joseph Tamba, said the party was dismayed with violence which was perpetrated by the UPND in the by-election which was held last Tuesday. Mr Tamba said in an interview on Parliament grounds that Mr Kang'ombe must not be sworn in because the election was not free and fair as it was marred by violence. He said the new lawmaker did not deserve to be sworn in because he was ushered in office through violence which was against the electoral code of conduct.

Mr Tamba said it was uncalled for, for the UPND to resort to violence to win an election. “We came here because this Kang’ombe was elected as an MP and we want to tell the Speaker that we are not happy with the way elections were conducted in Sesheke. “This MP has been ushered into office through violence which is unacceptable. All we needed to do as political parties is to ensure that peace prevails and have a free and fair elections.

“Where are we heading to as a country with such behaviour? Why should a political party resort to violence in order to win an election. We want to inform the speaker that we are not happy at all,” Mr Tamba said.