Claim
The UPND Zambia Facebook Page published a video on 3rd February 2022 with the caption stating some members of the Patriotic Front (PF) were caught buying votes in Chilenje. In the video, an unknown man is heard saying, “This is Chilenje and PF members are caught in a van.” This video circulated on various media platforms with different captions claiming that the PF members were caught with ballot papers and buying votes for the 3rd February 2022 Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary By-Elections. The seat had become vacant following the death of Hon. Levy Mkandawire in an accident on 18th November, 2021.
Rating Justification
The Fact Checking Process has established as true the claim that some PF members were arrested by the Zambia Police for electoral malpractice in Kabwata Constituency. However, details of the malpractice are still being investigated. The Zambia Police confirmed that Zambia Police has confirmed that seven people belonging to the Patriotic Front have been arrested for electoral malpractice. Investigations are still ongoing hence the Police could not provide further information. This was also confirmed in an article published by the Patriotic Front Facebook page stating that two men arrested and detained at Kabwata Police station belonged to the PF Party.
Details of the malpractice have not yet been confirmed. In a phone interview with iVerify, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) clarified that no ballot papers were marked or distributed before the polling station was opened on 3rd February 2022. The Commission explained that circulation of unverified information especially when the country is having By-Elections has a negative impact on the electorates and monitors of the election hence citizens should verify information before disseminating it on any platform.
