‘Nullify Mkushi PF polls’

RESULTS of the recently held Mkushi Patriotic Front (PF) intra-party elections should be nullified because they were marred by unprecedented intimidation, vice youth information and publicity secretary Willard Chilumba said.

Mr Chilumba said the elections should be nullified because they were marred by intimidation allegedly orchestrated by provincial chairman Chanda Mutale.

He said Mr Mutale’s address to the Electoral College was full of intimidation which forced most members who wanted to contest the elections to withdraw their candidature.

The manner in which Mr. Mutale addressed the Electoral College before the arrival of PF elections national chairman Yamfwa Mukanga left much to be desired and would have a telling effect on the party in the area if not checked, he said.

Mr Chilumba said PF was a democratic party which was founded on meaningful values and principles to promote democratic tenets such as participation that should be upheld unlike intimidation.

He said apart from people being intimidated ward officials were not allowed to present their application letters adding that even letters that were presented to the district committee were rejected.

Mr Chilumba said he was personally directed by Mr Mutale to withdraw his candidature as Mkushi North Constituency chairman aspiring candidate for reasons known to himself.

He said when Mr Mutale addressed the Electoral College, he urged incumbents to defend their positions and that candidates should not contest a position where there was friend, and that positions of district chairman and constituency chairman should not be contested.

Efforts to contact Mr Mutale proved futile as he could not be reached on phone by press time.