LUSAKA - The United Party for National Development (UPND) has dismissed allegations that its members are collecting voters' cards and National Registration Card (NRC) details from members of the public in an attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
The allegations follow revelations by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) that the organisation had received reports alleging that some UPND members were collecting voters' card numbers and NRC details from members of the public in parts of Eastern, North-Western, Northern and Southern provinces, among other areas.
Reacting to the allegations, UPND Chairperson for Campaigns and Elections Likando Mufalali said the ruling party is too advanced and credible to engage in such conduct.
Speaking to Phoenix News, Mr. Mufalali said the UPND's grassroots mobilisation strategy has been wrongly interpreted by some stakeholders as vote buying.
He explained that the party's campaign strategy is centred on grassroots voter mobilisation using the official voters' register obtained from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Mr. Mufalali said what some stakeholders have perceived as the collection of voter details is instead the identification of registered voters for campaign outreach.
He maintained that the UPND is not collecting voters' cards or NRC documents from members of the public.
Mr. Mufalali urged TIZ and other stakeholders to recognise what he described as modern campaign methods, saying political parties can access voter information through the official voters' register without collecting voters' cards or NRC details.
TIZ's allegations have not been independently verified, while the UPND has denied engaging in the alleged conduct.
Source: Phoenix News