Opposition leader demands disbandment of Zambia's electoral body

Zambia's sole female presidential contender in the recently held general elections on Wednesday called for the disbandment of the country's electoral body, accusing it of failing to run elections.

Edith Nawakwi, leader of the Forum for Democracy and Development who came third in the elections, said it was clear that the current officials at the Electoral Commission of Zambia, have failed to conduct free and credible elections.

She told reporters during a press briefing in Lusaka, the country's capital that the ineptitude of the electoral body has resulted in the current political standoff where the presidential winner has not been sworn-in after the results were petitioned.

According to her, the entire electoral process was flawed and that officials at the electoral body failed to listen to the concerns which were raised by stakeholders.

Zambia, she said, will never have free, fair and credible elections if the current leadership at the electoral body remains in charge.

The results of the presidential election have been challenged in the Constitutional Court by the country's main opposition, the United Party for National Development, saying there were malpractices in the vote count.

The swearing-in ceremony of President Edgar Lungu, who was re-elected, has been put on hold until after the court makes a ruling on the petition.

But on Tuesday, Lungu's spokesperson denied that there was a power vacuum in the country, saying the Zambian leader was in charge and that all government departments are functioning smoothly. Endit