Daka says Kasenengwa election had errors

Mr Daka was testifying during the hearing of an election petition in which UPND candidate Levison Ziwa is challenging the election of NRPUP’s Philemon Twasa as Kasenengwa Member of Parliament.

Mr Daka said the recount ordered by the court found rejected ballots and ballot papers belonging to other candidates in Mr Twasa’s sealed envelope.

He said counting is done at polling stations in the presence of electoral stakeholders, but returning officers are not present during the process.

Mr Daka said only presiding officers could explain how the errors occurred. He also denied that the ballots could have been tampered with, saying they were guarded by the Zambia Police and the container was only opened during the recount.

He further told the court that he felt threatened before announcing the results after Mr Twasa and his supporters stormed the totalling centre, demanding to know why the announcement had been delayed.

The recount gave Mr Ziwa 14,693 votes against Mr Twasa’s 12,907 votes, giving Mr Ziwa a lead of 1,786 votes.

Following the conclusion of the trial, High Court Judge Elita Phiri Mwikisa has set November 25, 2026 for judgment.