UPND BEGSEU
...as it reports PF for alleged transgressions
THE UPND has reported the Patriotic Front government to the European Union (EU) claiming it wants to rig the 2021 elections by proposing to cancel the current voter register and create a new register of nine million, and allowing prisoners to vote.
The PF has however said the claims were nonsensical as the time for registration would be limited in all constituencies across the country, not just UPND strongholds and that the electoral reforms would affect all areas.
The UPND claims PF is targeting to disenfranchise Southern Province which is their perceived stronghold by limiting the registration of voters.
In an open letter addressed to the EU, UPND Secretary-General, Stephen Katuka claimed that a number of people were at risk of being disenfranchised as the Electoral Commission of Zambia had gone ahead to halve the voter registration period from the initial provided for 60 to 30 days.
Mr Katuka also claimed that the act was being done in tandem with not issuing National Registration Cards in opposition strongholds whilst the same exercise had for a while now been running smoothly in perceived PF strongholds.
He said the intention to cancel the current voter register and create a new register of nine million was an attempt to manipulate the voter registration exercise.
Mr Katuka also claimed the proposed amendment to allow prisoners to vote was a scheme to rig elections as only PF officials would be allowed to campaign in correctional facilities.
He also stated that there was also no confidence that ECZ, which he described as moribund, had capacity to fairly superintend over the 2021 general elections unless it was reformed.
“Unless the ECZ is reformed, such incidents do not give the opposition confidence that the ECZ has the capacity to fairly superintend over the 2021 general elections,” said Mr Katuka.
However, PF Deputy Media Director, Antonio Mwanza, said UPND claims were nonsensical as any electoral reforms made would affect both the ruling party and the opposition.
Mr Mwanza said it was unfortunate that the UPND always wanted to paint the country black to the international community.
He said it was clear that the UPND was dangerous to the nation because it always wished the worst for the country.