Tonse says UPND-clad attackers disrupted Daniel Chisenga's Mandevu campaign and abducted a woman

The Tonse Alliance has accused suspected UPND cadres of disrupting its campaign in Mandevu constituency and attacking its members, including its by-election candidate, Daniel Chisenga. In a written statement, Acting Secretary General Muhabi Lungu said Mr Chisenga, who is standing on the FDD ticket with the backing of the Tonse Pamodzi alliance, and other members were attacked this week by individuals wearing UPND regalia. He said one of the women with the team was abducted. Mr Lungu called the incident unfortunate and said the Alliance had called for a peaceful campaign. He said Mr Chisenga and party members have been campaigning in the constituency since the by-election was declared, and the statement mentions campaigning in Raphael Chota ward. The claims are the Alliance's own and the people who carried out the alleged attack have not been identified by name. The Mandevu parliamentary by-election will be held on Thursday 5 November. The UPND candidate is Adrian Banda, who was adopted by the party earlier this month. Candidates filed their nominations in the second week of October, and the Electoral Commission of Zambia had said before nominations that it expected them to be peaceful. This is not the first complaint from the Alliance. On 16 October Mr Lungu told a press briefing that Mr Chisenga had faced constant threats from people who identified themselves as UPND since he filed his nomination, and that the candidate had not slept at his home for three days because he feared for his life. Mr Lungu said at the time: "Our candidate has been under constant barrage from people who have identified themselves as UPND." The UPND rejected the claim. Deputy Secretary General Gertrude Imenda said on 16 October that she was not aware of any threats, challenged the Alliance to name the people involved, and said that if the opposition feels weak it should withdraw from the election instead of using the UPND's name. ## Why it matters Mandevu is a Lusaka constituency, an