Africa-Press – Zambia. GEARS Initiative Zambia describes the arrest of the PF candidate for the district chairperson for newly created Lusangazi District which houses Msanzala Constituency of Eastern Province, Patrick Menyani Banda for alleged possession of a forged Grade 12 certificate as unfortunate.
GEARS Initiative Constituency Coordinator in Msanzala confirms that indeed Mr. BANDA is in Police Custody in Petauke for alleged offence. It is, however, sad that the two (2) ECZs-Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Examination Council of Zambia, could authentic academic papers for Mr. BANDA and validate his nomination based on forged academic papers which have landed the PF candidate into police custody.
This is great blow to the PF and competitive electoral contest ahead of the next week, Oct 21, 2021 by election in the area. This vice of alleged possession of forged grade 12 academic papers among aspiring and contesting candidates in both rural ane urban areas is now a source of worry in the electoral process. The practice is also a concern that must be rooted out by finding the manufacturers of such papers and bring them to book.
The fact that aspirants even with forged papers pass the ECZ (education) verification process and ECZ (election) validation exercise at nomination is a sign that the two institutions may have poor or defective vetting systems/equipment that cann detect such illegality on the papers thereby contributing to perpetuation of illegality in the electoral process.
Therefore, there is need for more investment in the installation of effective vetting systems/equipment to avoid unqualified individuals ascending to positions of influence they are not supposed to ascend in future.
It is also unfortunate that political parties fail to do due diligence when adopting candidates despite the knowledge of the existing legal requirements for any adopted candidate to have Grade 12 certificate which is must to be fulfilled.
However, since Mr. Banda is validly nominated by ECZ(Election), his case may be beyond the police arrest but a constitution breach which triggers a petition under Article 52.
This means that the complaints must have sought the attention of the Constitutional Court within seven (7) after nomination than going to police so that the Court could have interpreted the provisions of Article 52.
However, GEARS Initiative is aware that forgery is standalone offence under the relevant laws of Zambia and the case may be properly before the police.
Being a bondage and bailable offence, GEARS Initiative expects Mr Banda to be granted those facilities so that he continues with his campaigns pending the his appearence in court and also possible election petition after the election if he wins the by-election. McDonald Chipenzi Executive Director GEARS Initiative 16/10/2021
