FORMER LUSAKA MAYOR CHILANDO CHITANGALA PETITIONS ROMA ELECTION RESULTS

CHITANGALA PETITIONS ROMA ELECTION RESULTS Former Lusaka Mayor and aspiring Roma Member of Parliament Chilando Chitangala has petitioned the election results for Roma Constituency, saying the decision followed consultations with supporters and residents who felt that their voices had not been reflected in the outcome Ms Chitangala said she had taken time to engage members […]

CHITANGALA PETITIONS ROMA ELECTION RESULTS

Former Lusaka Mayor and aspiring Roma Member of Parliament Chilando Chitangala has petitioned the election results for Roma Constituency, saying the decision followed consultations with supporters and residents who felt that their voices had not been reflected in the outcome

Ms Chitangala said she had taken time to engage members of the Roma community following the election and listen to their concerns regarding the conduct and outcome of the poll.

She alleged that the election outcome in some polling stations had been tampered with and did not represent the true will of voters.

“It is truly sad that the outcome of the election in Roma Constituency was tampered with,” Ms Chitangala said.

She explained that she considered it part of her responsibility as a leader to represent the concerns of people who believed their mandate had not been respected.

“Amongst the responsibilities of a leader is not only to speak for the people, but to amplify their voices,” she said.

Ms Chitangala said the decision to challenge the results was not based on an unwillingness to accept electoral defeat, but on concerns surrounding the integrity of the election.

“An election is a competition. There will always be a winner and there will always be a loser,” she said.

She questioned how leaders could effectively govern when questions remained over whether the results represented the genuine mandate of voters.

“Leadership derives its legitimacy from the people,” Ms Chitangala said.

She said the courts were the appropriate forum for resolving disputes concerning electoral integrity.

“We have chosen the courts because that is where questions concerning the integrity of an election must be determined,” she said.

Ms Chitangala maintained that regardless of the outcome of the petition, she would remain committed to the people of Roma Constituency.