The Republican Progressive Party (RPP) has reported Patriotic Front (PF) faction leader Miles Sampa to the police over his claims that a “ghost polling station” was used during the Chawama parliamentary by-election.
RPP National Youth Chairperson Constantino Mubita said the party was concerned about statements it said had the potential to mislead the public and discredit the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) following the recently concluded by-election.
Mr Mubita said Zambia’s democratic institutions had continued to demonstrate independence, citing several by-elections in which both ruling party and opposition candidates had emerged victorious. He referred to the Chawama by-election, which was won by the opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), as an example.
He said allegations of ghost polling stations and electoral malpractice, if made without evidence, could undermine public confidence and threaten national stability.
The RPP also referenced guidance from the Constitutional Court on the constitutional amendment process, which was implemented through Parliament, stating that it demonstrated the functioning of the separation of powers. Mr Mubita said the ECZ, Judiciary, Legislature and Executive continued to operate independently and that no individual or institution was above the law.
He said the decision to report Mr Sampa to the police was intended to establish the motive behind the statements and to determine whether they constituted any criminal offence.
The party commended the ECZ for demanding an apology from Mr Sampa and welcomed State House’s call for allegations to be supported by verifiable evidence.
Meanwhile, the RPP has urged the ECZ and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate allegations circulating on social media linking Mr Sampa to vote-buying during the Chawama by-election. Mr Mubita said failure to address such allegations could affect public confidence in the electoral process.
On Tuesday, Mr Sampa formally apologised to the ECZ for falsely alleging that a fake polling station had been set up along Lilayi Road during the Chawama parliamentary by-election.
RPP stop wasting time. When are you going to put up a formidable party, for now you are only a shell. What fortunes do you get by reporting originator of PF confusion. Start mobilising.
Previously i rated Miles Sampa amongst Zambias top underutilized gem brains that could make a good president but his recent behaviour over the past fives years has removed all doubt that he was highly overrated. I had put him in the league of high potential reserve presidential material such as Muhabi Lungu, Edify Hamukale, Mizinga Melu, Chibamba Kanyama, Dora Siliya and a few others but not anymore