UPND demands vote recount in Lusaka

The opposition UPND have formally requested a recount in Lusaka urban constituencies due to the high number of irregularities identified in the counting and transmission process.

UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka says the abnormalities include the failure to provide polling agents with their copies of the Gen 12 form, leading to delays during which time its polling agents were subjected to intimidation and in some cases illegal advance.

He says the party will seek a recount through the courts and has all the necessary evidence to prove their allegations.

“There have also been a number of specific incidents in the District that have sparked allegation of manipulation, of which we have presented evidence to the Commission,” Katuka said in a statement.

“Our Lusaka mayoral candidate Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa uncovered a substantial discrepancy between the polling station totals and the constituency level result for Kanyama constituency of over 14,000 in favour of the PF.

“Incidents in which PF supporters have been reported to arrive during the counting process and our agents were subject to intimidation, including at Kamwala basic school and Olympia school in Lusaka,” he said.

He further cited the identification of a higher number of votes tallied than registered voters and the alleged discovery of pre-marked ballot papers uncovered from a civilian van outside of ZAF Head Quarters.

He noted that the evidence clearly shows that without this recount the election would be severely compromised and could result in a stolen election.

He accused the PF of seeking to ensure a re-run situation at this point, but warned that the will of the Zambian people will prevail.