By BENNET SIMBEYE –
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General Davies Chama has expressed confidence that the results released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) are credible and representative of the will of the people.
Mr Chama also says the decision by ECZ to invite representatives of all political parties during the verification of the results had ensured the credibility of the results.
This follows a two-hour meeting that took place between the ECZ, UPND and the PF. The ECZ decided to invite the PF because some of the complaints raised touched on the PF.
The meeting chaired by the ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima resulted in the delay by the Commission to announce more results at 11:00 hours. The schedule was moved to 14:30 hours.
“We are confident that the ECZ has increased the integrity of the results management system. The UPND’s main complaint was about a disparity between what the ECZ announced and what the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) displayed on the screen,” Mr Chama said.
“We also have similar complaints. ZNBC broadcast lower figures than what was announced by the Commission. We raised the anomalies that resulted in the announcement of lower figures in the following constituencies: Chawama, Chipata Central, Chipili and Chililabombwe,” he said.
Mr Chama said the party won Chipata Central by more than 10, 000 but ZNBC reported 4, 000 and for Chililabombwe they said UPND won yet the PF is the one that won.
The PF team was led by national Chairperson Inonge Wina whilst the UPND was led by party president Hakainde Hichilema.