ECZ dismisses 'malicious' claims it plans to disqualify Mundubile

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has dismissed as false and malicious allegations circulating on a Patriotic Front Facebook page that claimed the Commission was plotting to disqualify presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the claims, which named Commission Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis, were a complete fabrication intended to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the electoral process.

Mr Kasaro said it was irresponsible to suggest that the same Commission which had lawfully declared Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu duly nominated candidates was now secretly seeking grounds to reverse that decision. At no point, he said, had the Chairperson directed any sanctions against the pair.

He also rejected as entirely fictitious separate claims linking the Commission to restrictions on church services, funerals and campaign activities.

The Commission, Mr Kasaro added, was increasingly concerned by the abuse of social media by some political players to spread falsehoods, drag constitutional institutions into partisan propaganda, and manufacture controversy ahead of the August election.

He urged the public to disregard fake claims and to rely only on official communication issued through verified ECZ platforms, warning that the Commission would not allow its integrity or its constitutional mandate to be exploited for political advantage.