The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
Abel Mboozi
9 July 2009
Serenje — THE former ruling party, UNIP and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) have joined the MMD and the PF-UPND to contest the Chitambo parliamentary by-election set for August 13, bringing the number of political parties to four.
The four candidates that successfully lodged in their nomination papers yesterday in Serenje are Solomon Musonda (MMD), Chanda Mutale (PF-UPND), Evans Chola for FDD and Timothy Kapolo for UNIP. The nominations took place at Mukando Basic School where Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) returning officer for the by-election, Milton Sakala declared the papers lodged in as valid and closed the exercise at 15:00 hours.
Each of the candidates expressed confidence of winning the by-election, which was as a result of the death of area member of Parliament Nassim Hamir, who was also Lands deputy minister.
The MMD's candidate, Dr Musonda said, "I am certain that I will emerge the victor in the August 13 by-election. I am putting in every effort and so is my team being led by Home Affairs Minister, Dr Kalombo Mwansa." Dr Musonda said he would build on the foundation left by the late MP in as far as fostering development was concerned.
Others in the MMD team were party chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti, Central Province Minister Ackimson Banda, deputy national secretary Jeff Kande and Central Province chairperson Boyd Mutonka.
Mr Mulongoti said "our chances of winning the by-election are very high as you can see that our team outnumbered the opposition grouped together as a single force, which is a good sign of good things to come on August 13."
Mr Mulongoti, who is Works and Supply minister, was happy that campaigns were so far peaceful and that was how it should be until the election day. Mr Mutale of the PF-UPND said "victory in the by-election is certain on my part. There is no doubt that we shall grab this seat from the MMD."
Kabwata MP, Given Lubinda, Chimwemwe MP Willy Nsanda and other party officials accompanied him. Mr Mutale said he was a son of the soil and was conversant with problems people of Chitambo faced and once elected, he would work towards addressing such hurdles for the well-being of the people of Chitambo.
Mr Kapolo of UNIP, who is also a local farmer, said the fact that he hailed from Chitambo meant that he stood a better chance to claim the parliamentary seat. His FDD counterpart, Mr Chola, a local person also expressed confidence that he would emerge a victorious in the by-election set for August 13 because he was a well-known person in Chitambo.
No independent candidate is contesting the by-election.
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