President Michael Sata’s impromptu campaign trail has put the Electoral Commission of Zambia in an awkward position as they have not yet declared the campaign period for the impending by-elections in Vubwi and Malambo constituencies.
The Head of State forgot he had declared a seven days national mourning period and headed for Malambo and Vubwi where the seats were recently nullified by the Supreme Court.
President Sata introduced Vubwi Patriotic Front candidate Margaret Miti and her Malambo counterpart Jack Shuma.
Queried on why they had let President Sata campaign before the dates were set by ECZ, Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna doggedly answered: “Does it mean that when there are is no election the right to freedom of association is suspended?”
Asked to state categorically if President Sata had not breached the electoral act, Akufuna declined to answer.
The Supreme Court nullified the Malambo and Vubwi seats in a scheme that is meant to silence vocal opposition Members of Parliament by making the ineligible once their seats have been nullified.
However, legal challenges to the PF government’s scheme have left several by-elections on ice as legal rulings are being awaited.
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