LOSING UPND DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS ELECTION PETITION
LOSING UPND DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS ELECTION PETITION
By Justina Matandiko
UPND Parliamentary candidate for Dag Hammarskjöld constituency Ernest Lufunda has withdrawn his election petition, saying he has decided to put the interests of the party and the people of the constituency ahead of his legal challenge.
Addressing the media in Ndola this morning, Mr. Lufunda said although he lost the election by 26 votes under what he described as dubious circumstances, he has accepted the outcome and will allow the declared winner, Ezra Tembo of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity -NRPUP- to continue serving the constituency.
He said the decision comes despite having gathered substantial evidence which he believes could have resulted in the election being overturned when trial was scheduled to begin on October 1st
Mr. Lufunda said his decision has been made with a heavy heart because the people of Dag Hammarskjöld still need development, adding that his focus has always been on improving the living conditions of residents rather than pursuing political interests.
Mr. Lufunda had petitioned the Dag Hammarskjöld constituency parliamentary results after he polled 5,294 votes against NRPUP’s Ezra Tembo who polled 5,320 votes.
PHOENIX NEWS