Africa-Press – Zambia. Police have arrested Mr. Patrick Banda a Patriotic Front (PF) candidate for Lusangazi Council Chairperson By-Election in Petauke. The accused is alleged to have used a Grade Twelve School Certificate which did not belong to him to file in nominations as Council Chairperson for Lusangazi district, Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said
Mr. Hamoonga said police have charged and arrested Mr. Patrick Banda aged 35 of Showgrounds Compound in Petauke for the offense of impersonation contrary to Section 380 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia. According to Mr. Hamoonga, Mr. Banda has since been remanded in police custody and will appear in court soon.
Brief facts of the case are that on 30th September 2021 the Electoral Commission of Zambia received nominations for Council Chairperson for the by- Election to be held in Lusangazi District of Eastern Province of the Republic of Zambia.
It was during this exercise that Mr. Patrick Banda submitted a Grade Twelve School Certificate certified by the Examination Council of Zambia, purporting to be his when in fact not.
Earlier PF media had alleged that Police in Petauke district had arrested PF Lusangazi Council Chairperson candidate Patrick Banda after receiving instruction from the state and Electoral Commission of Zambia.
According to reports, Zambia Police officers claimed that they got instructions from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to arrest Mr Banda. However, the electoral commission has refuted the allegations by issuing the statement below: Media Statement (For Immediate release)
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has noted with serious concern allegations circulating in the media that it has issued instructions to the Zambia Police to arrest Patriotic Front (PF) aspiring candidate for the Lusangazi Council Chairperson seat over an alleged fake Grade 12 Certificate.
The Commission would like to categorically state that at no time has it issued instructions to the police to have the aspiring candidate arrested and that this news must be treated with the highest contempt. The Commission would however like to confirm that:
The Commission reiterates its impartial stance in the conduct of electoral activities and wishes to remind aggrieved parties to utilise grievance procedures provided in the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act. Patricia Luhanga Corporate Affairs Manager For/The Chief Electoral Office
