UPND And PF Pledge Respect During By-Election Campaigns

Zambia’s two largest political parties, the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND), have both pledged to conduct respectful and peaceful campaigns in the run up to the Lukashya and Mwansabombwe parliamentary by-elections. 

Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said that any form of lawlessness during the campaigns would not be tolerated and urged political parties to settle their differences peacefully. 

Mr Kampyongo’s sentiments were echoed by UPND Deputy Secretary General Patrick Mucheleka, who reminded politicians that their role was to serve the Zambian people. 

The elections in Lukashya and Mwansabombwe constituencies are scheduled to take place on Thursday 17th September, with seven political parties contesting each seat. 

The announcements come just hours after police freed a senior PF cadre who is suspected of having shot and wounded a man in Kapiri Mposhi. 

PF supporter Cephas Musopelo is alleged to have shot a man on Tuesday following a failed gold deal, before changing his number plates to evade detection. He was arrested by police but later released under unclear circumstances.