Supreme Court should consider nullifying the 2011 elections – Hakainde Hichilema

Commenting on the nullification of the Solwezi Central Constituency election by the Supreme Court, Mr. Hichilema wonders why what was hailed as a free and fair election by many organisations following the PF victory in 2011, has led to so many seats, especially those belonging to the opposition, being nullified.

Mr. Hichilema says assuming the nullifications were genuine; it means the whole process was marred by corrupt activities, and abrogation of the electoral code of conduct which essentially nullifies the entire 2011 presidential and general elections.

He says this would allow the country to go for fresh elections than wasting money on piece meal elections that still amount to almost an entire parliamentary election.

Mr. Hichilema adds that he is also aware of the scheme by the PF to have a parliamentary majority to enable them manipulate the constitution and other laws is still active, but that the people of Zambia are getting sick and tired of such schemes.

He says Zambians have become vigilante and can see through all these schemes.

The UPND leader wonders why with all the anomalies that have been identified in the electoral process, the ruling PF government is so reluctant on constitutional reforms that would have addressed the ills of the electoral process among other things.

he has further noted the important need to clearly define what constitutes electoral corruption, stating that to date, the PF have gotten away with a number of clear electoral malpractices such as open donations, intimidation of voters, violence, and fake promises even before they came into office and the practice has since continued.

Mr Hichilema has also noted that there seems to be a serious disjoint in the judicial system between the High Court and the Supreme Court, and that this raises suspicions because a number of seats that were upheld as duly elected at the High Court level have only been nullified by the Supreme Court.

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