Zambia: 2 parliament seats declared void

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Zambian judges have declared void two parliamentary seats allegedly won by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in the Aug. 11 general election on account of electoral malpractice and violence.

The two parliamentary seats had belonged to General Education Minister Nkandu Luo and George Imbuwa.

Judge Edward Musona, who nullified the election of Nkandu Luo, told a packed court room Tuesday morning that there was overwhelming evidence of electoral violence, fraud and falsification of election results.

In another court, Judge Mathew Zulu nullified the election of George Imbuwa as Nalolo MP on account of electoral irregularities and malpractice.

Following the Aug. 11 general election, the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has contested 80 parliamentary seats, 78 of which are still being tried.