PETITIONS CAST DOUBT ON POLLS CREDIBILITY - CLERGY

THE flurry of electoral petitions by UPND losing Parliamentary candidates have created a doubt on the credibility of the August 12 Presidential elections, the College of Bishops of the Christian Coalition has observed.

Christian Coalition Zambia President, Charles Mwape, said the coalition was saddened by the unnecessary elections petitions that had been filled by losing UPND candidates in the Lusaka High Court.

He said the petitions showed that the just ended general elections were not free and fair.

"If UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema will allow these petitions to processed and create a doubt on the credibility of 12th August elections it will simply mean that even his victory must be questioned by the Zambian people because 1.8 million votes he got are part of the numbers been questioned by his members," he said.

Professor Mwape appealed to President Hichilema to advise losing UPND candidates to withdraw the petitions so that the nation could concentrate on national development and promotion of unity.

"The Coalition believes that young people that voted for President Hichilema and UPND are very expectant to see that jobs are created and that the economy is turn around as they are not interested in election petitions.

“Therefore, it is in the best interest of young people that President Hichilema should speak to his members to withdraw elections petitions which has defeated his call for promotion of unity of people among Zambians," Prof Mwape said.

He said in a multi- party democracy it was not possible either for ruling or an opposition political party to win 155 parliamentary seats no matter how popular the party or candidate might be.

He also appealed to more civic and political leaders to reason with President Hichilema so that petitions were withdrawn and reconcile the nation for the sake of giving him time to deliver development.