Witness Says Lilayi Tent Polling Station Existed…

A State witness has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that the tent polling station set up along Lilayi Road during the Chawama Constituency by-election was not fake, insisting it had existed in previous elections, including the 2015 by-election that usheredLawrence Sichalweinto Parliament. The testimony was given during the trial of Matero Member of ParliamentMiles Sampa, who is facing a charge of misuse of a computer system. Sampa allegedly posted on Facebook accusing theElectoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ) of creating a “fake” polling station during the January 15, 2026 Chawama by-election.

He has pleaded not guilty. Testifying before the court, 45-year-old teacher Mollen Sinyunda of New Mandevu Primary School said he was appointed presiding officer for Mutason 01 polling station under polling district Lima D1. Sinyunda told the court that the tented polling station was not new.

“I was posted to work as a polling assistant at this same station in 2015 that ushered in Lawrence Sichalwe as Chawama MP,” he said. Voting opened at 06:00 hours but proceeded slowly. According to Sinyunda, the situation changed mid-morning when fellow officers alerted him to a Facebook post allegedly made on Sampa’s page.

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“I switched on my data and saw the post depicting the tent where I was working, saying it was an illegal and fake polling station,” he said. He testified that shortly after the post circulated, crowds gathered about 400 metres from the station and refused to vote. “People came, started watching and did not vote,” he said, adding that he became concerned and informed his supervisors.

Only 66 out of the 456 registered voters eventually cast their ballots. Sinyunda further told the court that during lunch, while eating near a bar, Sampa unexpectedly walked in. “He said, ‘ba PO mulelya akabwali,’ and asked me if it was a fake polling station. I told him, ‘No, Sir,’” he narrated.

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