UPND dispatch vehicles with pre marked ballot papers, says Nakacinda

WE have unearthed a ploy were the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has dispatched vehicles with premarked ballot papers to the districts which are conducting elections, PF Chairperson for Publicity Raphael Nakacinda has said.

And the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has condemned the electoral violence that characterised the campaigns in Luangwa, Mkushi, Mwense and Chama Districts.

ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga said the ECZ had observed that the campaign atmosphere had generally been peaceful since the commencement of the campaigns.

Ms Luhanga said the commission was calling upon the Zambia Police Service to investigate these cases of violence and arrest all those who would be found in breach of the law.

“The commission is closely monitoring the conduct of political parties, their supporters and other stakeholders and would like to categorically state that it will not hesitate to invoke the Electoral process Act and take appropriate action in the remaining period should these violent acts continue,” Ms Luhanga said.

Mr Nakacinda said that the PF had evidence of the vehicles that were enroute to places like Lusangazi, Mwense and even Mkushi with already marked ballots in a bid to win the elections.

He said such maneuvres were as a result of the UPND sensing that they would lose the elections and that they therefore wanted to use croocked schemes to ensure they won the by-elections.

“We have the registration numbers of the vehicles that have been sent to these districts in a bid to alter the results of the elections,” he said.

Mr Nakacinda said that the PF was aware that there was another ploy of creating violence in the areas were the elections would be held.

He said that they were expecting more mayhem after some members of the party had been attacked in Lusangazi, Mwense and even Mkushi.

Mr Nakacinda however said the PF was steadfast and was not intimidated by the UPND who were now aware that their chances of winning todays elections were slim.

He said that the PF had done its homework and was sure of victory in all the polls despite receiving injustice at the hands of the UPND.

“UPND is jittery that is why they have now employed machinations that will ensure that the PF loses these elections,” he said.