TWO former Solwezi mayors are among 10 candidates vying to stand on the United National Development Party (UPND) ticket in next month's Solwezi Central Constituency by-election.

The UPND in Solwezi named the two former mayors as Collins Musemangeji, a former Kimasala ward councilor, and the immediate past Sangang'ombe ward councilor, Frank Mbalama.

The others are Watson Lumba, who was second to the late Member of Parliament Benny Tetamashimba in the 2006 parliamentary election, Victor Lumayi, the party's provincial youth chairperson, and Adams Sapezo.

The candidates are expected to undergo the final process of the adoption today ahead of selection of the Patriotic Front (PF)/ UPND pact candidate for the November 19 by-election.

Mr Mbalama, who is UPND Solwezi District chairperson, could only say he was one of the 10 applicants that were eyeing the Solwezi Central seat, without giving names of the others.

Meanwhile, the provincial executive committee of the MMD yesterday conducted interviews for ruling party candidates, who had also been interviewed by respective constituencies and the districts.

The candidates included Tourism and Environment Permanent Secretary, Teddy Kasonso, former Football Association of Zambia president, Teddy Mulonga, Solwezi District Commissioner, Albert Chifita, former Solwezi mayor, Emmanuel Chihili.

The others are South Africa-based financial expert, Lucky Mulusa, MMD North-Western provincial youth chairperson, Newton Malwa, Justin Mulosa, Maureen Jitanda, Kashima Sheyama and Philip Pumbwe.

And after attending yesterday's interviews, the MMD candidates were expected to travel to Lusaka for interviews by the national executive committee ahead of the Solwezi Central by-election nominations next Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Voter Apathy (AVAP) has advised the MMD and opposition political parties against imposing candidates for the Solwezi Central parliamentary seat.

AVAP executive director Bonnie Tembo said in an interview yesterday that there was need for political parties to adopt candidates who were popular and had support of local people.

"It is going to be very difficult for political parties to market such candidates without the support of local people. Imposing a candidate on the local people will be disastrous to political parties," Mr Tembo said.

And Mr Tembo has called on all political parties to ensure that they adhere to the Code of Conduct.

He said the Code of Conduct should be enforced to avoid verbal and pyshical violence.

Mr Tembo advised the youths against being used as instruments of violence during the campaigns in Solwezi.

Solwezi Central has five wards, 30 polling stations and the voter register stands at 34,633.