“When one candidate resigns, dies or is disqualified, ECZ can cancel elections”

By Wilson Mulinda

The UPND says President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is on spot when he asserted that the current Constitution of Zambia can lead to the country’s General Election not being held in August of the election year as stated in Article 56.

UPND Deputy Media Director CHEELO KATAMBO says the constitution demands cancellation of an election when a duly nominated candidate at ward, district, constituency and Presidential level resigns, dies or is disqualified by the Court.

Mr. KATAMBO has argued that in the current state of the constitution, if any one candidate resigns, dies or is disqualified a week before the General Election, ECZ will have to cancel that election at ward, district, constituency and or Presidential level and call for fresh nominations.

He says the nomination time frame is not prescribed in the law.

In a statement to ZNBC News, Mr. KATAMBO says the provision gives an opportunity for connivance among candidates to make it impossible for the country to hold the presidential election or any election at ward, district and constituency level.

Mr. KATAMBO notes that this is what the President was highlighting during an address to parliament.