By-election Round-up

In an unusual case in Tuesday’s by-elections the opposition UPND and PF candidates for the Kanongo local government both polled 209 votes. In such case the law dictates that a lot is cast in accordance with the Electoral Process Act of 2016. In this instance UPND scooped the seat.

Elsewhere the PF retained positions in all its strongholds, with some gains in North Western Province, to take 13 out of the 16 seats contested. PF Secretary General Davies Mwila hailed the results as a sign that Zambians still believe in the PF and have confidence in the leadership of President Lungu, urging PF members who have defected to now return to the party.

However, the opposition UPND and NDC have charged that violence and intimidation impeded their campaigns.

More by-elections are expected on June 5th, with the parliamentary seat of Chilanga constituency, which fell vacant following the conviction of MP Keith Mukata for murder, up for grabs.