By 
Mpika Constituency lawmaker, Francis Kapyanga, has called on all stakeholders to reject the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) roadmap to the 2026 General Elections.
Kapyanga, who is the Edgar Lungu-led PF Muchinga Province Youth Chairperson, cited multiple irregularities compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Kapyanga claimed that the ECZ, in its current form, lacks the credibility to conduct free and fair elections and may allegedly facilitate rigging.
He accused the Commission of being composed of UPND card-carrying members who failed to meet the minimum requirements for ECZ membership.
“The ECZ has consistently demonstrated partisanship, imposing unnecessary requirements on political parties during by-elections and disregarding court rulings,” Kapyanga stated.
He cited the Kwacha and Kabushi by-elections, which were marred by irregularities, as evidence of the ECZ’s failure to address critical issues, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the 2026 General Elections.
Kapyanga criticized the ECZ’s decision to proceed with the Kapamba ward by-election in Mpika District despite the withdrawal of the NCP candidate, stating that it contradicts the Zambian Constitution, which mandates fresh nominations in such cases.
Read More: Former ECZ electoral officer, Nshindano, calls for reforms, trust in electoral process
Additionally, he noted that the ECZ imposed instructions on political parties regarding who should sign adoption certificates for candidates.
“There is no law that provides for such imposition; it is up to individual parties to make that decision themselves. This overreach is a clear interference in internal party matters,” he stated.
Kapyanga argued that despite a tribunal ruling indicating the electoral officer’s error in disqualifying the PF Candidate in Mpika’s Kapamba ward, the ECZ failed to act, further eroding confidence in the electoral process.
He also alleged that ministers with large amounts of cash were buying votes on election days, an issue ignored by the ECZ, compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
“Reports indicate that ministers have been moving with trunks and bags of money, paying K1000 per vote, which is unacceptable,” Kapyanga alleged.
He advised stakeholders to demand the disbanding of the current ECZ, which he claimed was controlled by UPND, to ensure free and fair elections in 2026 and preserve the country’s democracy.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments