By Francis Chipalo
The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) will have its Eastern province popularity ‘tested’ via the Lumezi parliamentary By- election.
The seat became vacant following the arrest and subsequent incarceration of its independent Member of Parliament Munir Zulu who is currently serving his one year six months jail sentence, having being convicted for seditious remarks, leading to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) declaring the seat vacant and set June 25th as date for the by – election.
The ruling party on Monday unveiled Lufeyo Ngoma as its parliamentary candidate for the by – election.
Speaking at a media briefing, UPND chairman for elections Garry Nkombo said the ruling party was looking forward to a peaceful election process.
“On behalf of the ruling party, we will provide leadership to ensure that that this election is peaceful,” Nkombo said.
Nkombo also appealed to other players taking part in the by-election as well as stakeholders such as the police and ECZ to play their role for a peaceful election.
Speaking at the same briefing, Ngoma assured the ruling party that the seat will be delivered without compromise.
Meanwhile, Harry Kalaba’s Citizens First (CF) party has received an endorsement from the Revamp for Development Change (RDC) party as the preferred political grouping for the Lumezi by – election.
RDC leader Robert Chansa told journalists yesterday that Kalaba and the CF have what it takes to drive Zambia’s economic agenda, stating that the RDC will rally behind the former foreign affairs minister in next year’s general elections.
Chansa also urged fellow opposition leaders to out their personal interests’ aside, adding that the opposition need to have a credible leader like Kalaba as President Hakainde Hichilema’s competitor in 2026.
The RDC has since thrown its weight behind the CF ahead of the Lumezi parliamentary by – election.