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Socialist Party (SP) Media Director, Brian Hapunda, has described the just ended by-elections, all scooped by the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), as a sham.
Hapunda alleged that the elections were marred by violence, vote buying and intimidation by the ruling party.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Hapunda claimed that the party participated in seven of the eight by-elections that saw Cabinet Ministers and District Commissioners deployed to man the wards.
“The SP could not participate in the Gwembe and Kabompo by-elections because their candidates were kidnapped on the day of filing in nominations.
“Our Candidate was kidnapped on the day of filing in nominations in Luangwa District but residents fought running battles with the UPND thereby managing to rescue her,” Hapunda alleged.
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He thanked the people in the areas where the by-elections took place for the support rendered to the SP.
“We thank the people who stood with us during the moments of difficulty as their support shows that SP and its President, Dr. Fred M’membe, have been accepted because they are on the ground campaigning,” Hapunda said.
“The SP and Dr. M’membe have given the UPND a run for their money in the by-elections that they keep inducing in the country. SP will continue participating in the induced by-elections because we believe that it is our right to do so regardless of the intimidation that we go through in the field,” Hapunda said.
He vowed that his party would democratically remove the UPND from office in 2026 with the support of the people of Zambia.
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