TAYALI WAS PRESENT AT TOTALING CENTRE AND RAISED NO COMPLAINT – SAYS ECZ

The legal battle surrounding the contentious Ndola Central parliamentary election took a dramatic turn this week as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) formally defended its electoral management before the High Court. Testifying through Ndola Central Returning Officer Fredrick Musonda, the electoral body categorically disputed claims made by the petitioner and former parliamentarian, Frank Museba Tayali, asserting that he was physically present during the vote tabulation process and registered no formal complaints. Mr. Tayali, who contested on the ticket of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), narrowly lost the seat to Emmanuel Mulenga of the Resolute Party, who secured 11,659 votes against Tayali's 10,840. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mr. Tayali launched a formal election petition alleging widespread electoral malpractices, intimidation, and irregularities. However, the ECZ's testimony places severe strain on the credibility of these assertions, presenting documentation indicating that the candidate or his accredited agents oversaw proceedings at the Kansenshi Secondary School totaling centre without raising red flags. Legal counsels representing the defense cross-examined the petitioner heavily, pointing out glaring contradictions in witness accounts and highlighting that key polling stations within supposedly hostile wards recorded exceptionally high voter turnouts. The ECZ maintained that the statutory processes, including the compilation and signing of the GEN 20 forms, were conducted transparently and in full accordance with the electoral laws of Zambia. Representatives of the commission argued that introducing post-election grievances after verifying outcomes at the ground level undermines institutional integrity and administrative finality. The unfolding court proceedings have captured intense public interest across the Copperbelt and the nation at large. Observers note that election petitions are increasingly becoming a standar