Court hears voter was paid K100 after changing ballot choice

Court hears voter was paid K100 after changing ballot choice A Chifubu voter has told the Ndola High Court that a K100 note allegedly changed the direction of her ballot on election day, only for a promised top-up to mysteriously disappear before she could collect it. Ndola, 22 September – Esther Muchindu, 35, told the […]

Court hears voter was paid K100 after changing ballot choice

A Chifubu voter has told the Ndola High Court that a K100 note allegedly changed the direction of her ballot on election day, only for a promised top-up to mysteriously disappear before she could collect it.

Ndola, 22 September – Esther Muchindu, 35, told the court that she had planned to vote for UPND candidate Lloyd Lubosha but instead voted for independent MP Kondwani Winga after allegedly receiving K100 from a woman she identified as Winga’s wife.

Muchindu was testifying during the hearing of a petition in which Lubosha is challenging Winga’s election as Chifubu Member of Parliament.

Winga won the August 13 election with 15,552 votes, while Lubosha polled 8,322.

During cross-examination by the parties, Muchindu said she had supported the UPND for about 15 years and had initially intended to vote for Lubosha.

But at about 08:30 hours on polling day, she said, she met a woman known to her as Bana Temwani, who allegedly offered her K100 to vote for her husband.

The court heard that Muchindu knew Bana Temwani because she had previously bought items from a shop owned by the family.

Muchindu said she accepted the money, voted for Winga and even took a photograph of her marked ballot as proof that she had followed the alleged instructions.

The plot, however, apparently had an unpaid sequel.

Muchindu told the court that she had been promised additional money after voting, but the balance never arrived.

“Prior to the elections, I had intentions to vote for the UPND candidate Mr Lloyd Lubosha. After voting, they told me that they would add to the money but they didn’t,” she said.

“I want justice to prevail. I decided to testify in this matter because my balance was not even paid after I voted.”

In other words, according to her testimony, the issue was no longer simply about how she voted, but about an alleged financial promise that had apparently gone missing.

Muchindu denied ever insulting Bana Temwani.

Another witness, Esnart Mowa, 35, of Kawama Township, also told the court that she received K100 during the election period through a man identified as Billy.

Mowa said the money was allegedly given on behalf of Winga, although she clarified that it was Winga’s wife who allegedly handed over the money.

She told the court that she was a UPND supporter and wanted anyone to win the election, but not through alleged vote buying.

Mowa further testified that two women were stationed outside the polling station gate and were allegedly giving voters money and pens. She said, however, that she could not tell how much money was being handed out.

“I just wanted anyone to win the elections for justice to prevail. Since they gave me money, that means they gave to others also,” Mowa said

The allegations have been made under oath in the ongoing election petition. They remain matters for the court to consider and determine as the hearing continues.

-Nkanionline 2026 #NewsOnDemand