22/09/2026
NKANA POLL PETITION JUDGEMENT SET FOR NOVEMBER 25TH
By: Evelyn Ngoma
Witnesses for the respondents in the Nkana parliamentary election petition have told the Kitwe High Court that the August 13, 2026 general elections were free, fair and credible and should not be annulled.
This is in a matter in which United Party for National Development (UPND) losing candidate Francis Mukuka is challenging the election of National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) Member of Parliament Alexander Chiteme. Chiteme is the first respondent, while the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is the second respondent.
Mukuka alleges that the election was characterized by bribery, violence and intimidation.
Thirteen witnesses for the respondents have so far testified before Kabwe High Court Judge-in-Charge, Justice Matthews Zulu, sitting in Kitwe, and have dismissed claims of electoral malpractice.
Lora Kaunda, 36, a businesswoman of Luyando who was accredited as a polling agent for Stream 1 at Luyando Polling Station, told the court that she did not see any cadres armed with sticks and machetes, nor any intimidation of ECZ officials.
In examination-in-chief led by defence lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF), who asked whether councillor candidate Hellen Chibuye had claimed that the polling station was tense around 04:00 hours, Kaunda said she did not witness any violence when she arrived at 05:20 hours.
Witness Innocent Kapinga, 48, a security guard at Mindolo Catholic Church and polling agent for Stream 3 at Luyando Polling Station, also denied allegations that thugs intimidated voters, arguing that the elections would have been suspended if ECZ staff and polling agents had been threatened.
Another witness, Precious Mumba, 38, of Buchi-Kamitondo and polling agent for Stream 3 at Kamitondo Combined School, said she arrived at 03:30 hours and voting started at 08:10 hours. She denied witnessing any violence, threats or blocking of voters, stating that voting ended at 20:10 hours and results were announced at 05:45 hours.
Under cross-examination by the petitioner’s lawyer, Mumba admitted she could not monitor everyone who entered and left the polling station while she was checking the register. She maintained that she is not a member of NRPUP and is not in court because she wants Chiteme's election to stand, but to tell the truth.
Kasonde Bwalya, 47, a businesswoman and polling agent for Stream 2 at Kamitondo Combined School, denied any interference during vote counting, saying agents cooperated well with ECZ officials. She said ballot boxes were transported around 21:00 hours to Kitwe Boys Secondary School.
Kennedy Munthali, 62, a farmer from Mindolo Township and polling agent for Stream 3 at Salem Polling Station in Mindolo South, testified that the elections were peaceful and no voter was blocked from casting a vote.
On allegations that Christine Luyaka was seen buying votes with a bag full of money, Munthali said he received no such report. He told Judge Zulu that Luyaka, who is diabetic, was only seen on the day she came to vote.
He further denied claims that voters were instructed on who to vote for and that ballot papers were not properly secured, stating that ballot papers were handled by ECZ officials and escorted by police.
The respondent witnesses maintained that the election was credible, with no acts of violence, bribery or intimidation, and therefore should not be nullified.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the second respondent, did not call any witnesses.
Justice Zulu has since set November 25, 2026, as the date for judgement.
