Lungu Plotting To Postpone 2021 Elections - Sishuwa

Historian and political commentator Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa has warned that President Lungu could use a potential increase in Covid-19 deaths to postpone a general election scheduled for August 2021. 

The University of Zambia lecturer said on Twitter that President Lungu’s decision to relax measures aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 could create a massive influx of cases in Zambia, which would force the country to postpone its elections.

“In attempt to delay the election, President Lungu could be relying on Article 81 (2) of the Constitution, notice how eager he was to emphasise the coronavirus as a “war against the country” in yesterday’s address,” Dr Sishuwa tweeted. 

Under Article 81 (2) of the constitution the National Assembly can vote to postpone a general election for up to 12 months by simple majority if the country is deemed to be at war.

Dr Sishuwa went on to suggest that there could be a potential political motivation behind the president’s recent announcement that church meetings could take place, subject to health and safety guidelines.

“When it comes to mischief, he is very creative. Otherwise, his decision does not make sense. Going by the public response so far, many would rather see churches closed. The question is: what motivated President Lungu to reopen them?”, he said.

Dr Sishuwa suggested that an increase in cases of Covid-19 would play into the government’s narrative that the country is ‘at war’ and justify postponing next year’s elections.

Dr Sishuwa’s comments come as a further 4 cases of Covid-19 were reported over the weekend, bringing Zambia’s total number of confirmed cases to 88. The ministry of health says it is unclear to what extent the disease has spread within the country and that mass screenings will continue in Lusaka to help ascertain the extent of the pandemic.