Elections were not free and fair: Lungu

The President of Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu has said elections have not been free and fair in some parts of the country where there was violence.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Lungu has blamed the opposition party to be at the forefront of violence.

“When people say elections were not free and fair, they usually accuse the ruling party, but look at what is happening in these places! Who is causing this mayhem? It is the opposition at the center of it.

‘It is, of course, clear that these two Zambians have been brutally murdered by members of the opposition simply for holding different political views. Yesterday, during my address to the nation, I said: “As long as I remain President, I will not countenance violence,” he said.

Lungu has since deployed more soldiers across the country following reports of violence on the voting day, 12 August. Lungu accuses the opposition of violence.

The deployment came after two supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front party were hacked to death with machetes on Friday by attackers suspected to be members of the main opposition party.

Observers say Lungu has been ignoring cases of violence directed at opposition members.
Lungu has also received heavy criticism for restricting the use of internet on the election day. Reports suggest that Zambia blocked WhatsApp messaging on Thursday, with a government source saying the move was as a result of “fear that some negative elements might use the internet to incite and organize protests.”