By 
The Tonse Alliance has called for the removal of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, citing her alleged lack of credibility and objectivity, which they argue were essentials for such a sensitive constitutional office.
In a statement issued on Monday, Alliance Spokesperson, Sean Tembo expressed concern over Zaloumis’ statements on January 31, 2025, in which she downplayed the increasing political violence in the Petauke Central Parliamentary by-election.
Tembo accused the ECZ Chairperson of misrepresenting facts by attributing the violence to both the ruling UPND and the Tonse Alliance, calling her statement “blatantly false.”
He further criticized Zaloumis for failing to impartially oversee Zambia’s electoral process, warning that her actions could contribute to future national conflict.
“It is evident that Mwangala Zaloumis is incapable of fairly and objectively overseeing Zambia’s electoral process,” Tembo said.
“We demand that President Hakainde Hichilema replace her with someone who has credibility and objectivity.”
The Tonse Alliance spokesperson claimed that the violence in Petauke was exclusively perpetrated by the UPND, with the support of the Zambia Police Service.
He pointed to eight complaints filed by the Alliance concerning assault and property damage at the Petauke Central Police Station, noting that the UPND had not filed any complaints.
Tembo also rejected Zaloumis’ claims that both the UPND and New Congress Party (NCP), the Alliance’s affiliate party, had violated the campaign timetable in Petauke.
He insisted that the Alliance had adhered to the schedule, and it was only the UPND that had allegedly encroached on the Alliance’s campaign zones while attacking opposition members and supporters.
During a Conflict Management Mediation Meeting held by ECZ officials in Petauke, Tembo said that the UPND admitted to violating the campaign zones and apologized in writing to the NCP.
“The UPND party apologized in writing for their actions during the Mediation Meeting,” Tembo claimed. “Yet, the ECZ Chairperson continues to show bias in favor of the ruling party.”
Tembo warned Zaloumis that her perceived partiality could lead to the loss of credibility, both within Zambia and internationally.
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