THE MMD has picked former Solwezi District Commissioner (DC) Albert Chifita as the party candidate in next month's Solwezi Central parliamentary by-elections.

MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti announced in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Chifita, who resigned as Solwezi DC upon his application to stand on the party ticket was picked from among 12 candidates.

The Solwezi Central parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of Local Government and Housing minister, Benny Tetamashimba on September 5 and the Electoral Commission of Zambia has set November 19 for the by-election.

Mr Mulongoti said after undertaking a democratic selection process, Mr Chifita was found to have been the most suitable candidate who would be easy to sell to the electorate.

He said during the process by the lower organs of the party, Mr Chifita, who is a former deputy general manager at the closed Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, was picked as a sole candidate by the district and the provincial executive committees.

Mr Chifita, a teacher by profession once served as assistant secretary in the Ministry of Defence before he was seconded to the then Mulungushi Textiles of Zambia (MTZ).

Mr Chifita was MMD Central Province vice-chairperson until his appointment as Solwezi DC.

MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande said that the party had all the confidence in Mr Chifita and could not doubt his political performance.