The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD) says the summoning of opposition political party candidates for questioning by the Anti-Corruption Commission sends wrong signals and is against the spirit of fair play.
The Kwacha and Kabushi by-elections have been involved in court battled following the refusal by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to accept the nomination of former law makers Bowman Lusambo and his counterpart Joseph Malanji.
Recently one opposition candidate and another independent candidate withdrew from the race citing intimidation and lack of leveled playing field from the ruling party the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Speaking to One Love Radio News, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said the summoning of participating candidates by ACC has greatly disadvantaged the opposition as they spend more worrying about their summons instead of campaigns.
Mr. Cheembe added that his organization was concerned with the current happening in Kabushi and Kwacha adding that ECZ must put its house in order to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
“We have equally taken note of the summons that have been done for some of the contesting candidates in the by elections, we think that this is unfortunate,” he said
