FORMER president Edgar Lungu has accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of recruiting voters secretly.
Speaking in a video address Lungu broadcast on his Facebook page last evening, Lungu also claimed the government was carrying out a clandestine issuance of National Registration Cards.
Without elaborating where these activities where being carried out, Lungu said the schemes were designed to undermine the 2026 presidential and general elections.
“It has become very evident that schemes designed to undermine the 2026 presidential and general elections have been heightened. From secret issuance of NRC to the secret registration of voters. The ECZ has not bothered to publicise this exercise and has not bothered to conduct it in an open manner,” Lungu claimed.
“These actions are threatening national security and our cherished peace,” he added.
Lungu called on Parliament, the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to help curb what he termed “illegal and dangerous schemes perpetrated by State House”.
“Our call is that the participation of democratic institutions such Parliament, Judiciary and the Electoral Commission of Zambia in these illegal and dangerous schemes being perpetrated by State House would amount to the act of treachery and reversal to our democratic values and the democracy we constantly all aspire to achieve,” he stated.
Lungu challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to face him and desist from using “cowardly and dirty political schemes” to bar his attempts for a third term in office.
He alleged that there were schemes being implemented by the UPND aimed at destroying the opposition by decimating viable and credible candidates like him.
He said such schemes are also aimed at presenting an opportunity for the UPND to steal the 2026 election.
Lungu also urged Zambians to ensure that democracy is preserved at all costs in the country.
He said President Hichilema should focus on providing solutions to the numerous challenges facing the county such as load shedding and the high cost of living.
“What did he find when he assumed office? What was the price of mealie-meal? Fuel? Electricity? Fertiliser? Cooking oil? sugar?
To win elections, one must work for the people and the economy of the country. One must not plot to retain power against the will of the people,” noted Lungu.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, October 2, 2024
 of recruiting voters secretly.){kind=link}