A member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Charles Longwe has sued the party for failing to hold an elective general conference, contrary to the national and party constitution.
Mr. Longwe claims before the Lusaka High Court that the positions of the National Management Committee, Secretary General, and President are being held illegally and are therefore void.
According to the statement of claim, UPND amended its party constitution on February 14, 2021, revising the tenure of office from three to five years, quoting Articles 16, 21, 26, 33, 43, and 56. He cited the party’s Secretary General, Batuka Imenda.
Mr. Longwe is urging the court to declare the National Management Committee, which was ushered into office on February 14, 2021, to be operating illegally, in accordance with Article 56 of the party constitution.
He argues that the failure to hold elections at lower structures and national level violates Article 60 of the National Constitution Act No. 2 of 2016.
He seeks an order for an injunction restraining the SG, his servants, agents, and employees from occupying the UPND secretariat, including issuing party receipts, using letterheads, holding meetings, and making press statements, among others.
Additionally, Longwe wants the court to order for an interim National Management Committee to oversee party matters and spearhead elections across all structures ahead of the extraordinary convention.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
