THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has expressed dismay at the conduct of TONSE Alliance officials who stormed the Kawambwa nomination centre without accreditation while accompanying the National Congress Party (NCP) aspiring candidate during the filing process.
The Commission described the conduct as “thuggish and unbecoming.”
In a statement issued by ECZ Senior Corporate Affairs Officer Sylvia Bwalya, the notable individuals involved included Jean Chisenga, Member of Parliament for Mambilima Constituency, Celestine Mukandalila, who claimed to be the NCP lawyer, and Peter Chanda, among others. 
The statement follows allegations made by Sean Tembo, PEP President and TONSE Alliance spokesperson, and reports in various media outlets concerning the NCP nomination process.
Mr.Tembo claimed in a statement issued yesterday that the TONSE Alliance had provided annual returns for the NCP for 10 years.
However, Ms Bwalya refuted the claims, stating that the Commission received no annual returns, only a letter displayed on a phone.
She clarified that the undated letter, received on December 18, 2023, was addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer and requested acceptance of the NCP adoption certificate.
The certificate reportedly contained different names from those registered with the Registrar of Societies and those used during nominations for the Mayembe Ward in Shiwang’andu District and Kapamba Ward in Mpika on January 23, 2024.
“TONSE Alliance also claims that the list of officeholders used by the Commission contained names written in pen. This is false, as ECZ officers had a printed document from the Registrar of Societies,” Ms Bwalya said.
Regarding the allegation that ECZ was forced to accept the NCP nomination, she stated that the Returning Officer made an independent decision, accepting the nomination papers for further scrutiny after due consideration.
Ms Bwalya said the conduct displayed at the nomination centre was a breach of the electoral process and revealed that the Commission is considering legal action against the culprits.
She urged the public to dismiss allegations, including those by Mr Tembo, suggesting that the Commission intended to nullify the NCP candidate’s nomination.
“These allegations are entirely false, unwarranted, and meant to mislead and misinform the public,” Ms Bwalya said.
