By-Elections Start Tomorrow, UPND Remains Confident

Polls open tomorrow, Thursday 21st October, for a number of important constituency and local authority by-elections, drawing to close the campaigning period that began on 30th September. 

The headline vote concerns the parliamentary seat for the constituency of Kaumbwe, in Petauke. This delayed election was necessitated by the death of UPND candidate Boniface Khnodowe on the 20th July, shortly before the general election of 12th August. 

Local ward elections are also being held in Masaiti, Mwansabombwe, Solwezi East and Mapatizya constituencies. Two council chair positions are also up for grabs in Chisamba District (Central Province) and Lusangazi (Eastern). 

President Hakainde Hichilema dismissed concerns that that Patriotic Front (PF) might seize the opportunity presented by these by-elections to regain some of the influence they lost in this recent general election. The President recently described PF as a “dead and buried” party who “will not bounce back to power.”

President Hichilema made these comments whilst in the Lusangazi district, soliciting support for the UPND’s council chairperson nominee, Fred Banda. His comments incensed the Patriotic Front candidate for the area, Patrick Banda. The PF candidate responded that his party must strive to win all the by-elections, in order to hit back at the UPND leader for these comments and demonstrate the enduring strength of the party.

However, Patrick Banda suffered the ignominy last week of being arrested and charged for using a forged grade 12 certificate in order to nominate himself to run for the position of council chairperson. His candidacy in the election in the Lusangazi district does remain valid, however, as ECZ official Patricia Luhanga explained that Banda could not be removed from the ballot as he is yet to be taken to court over the charges.