THE MMD in Solwezi Central constituency has welcomed the adoption of former Solwezi District Commissioner (DC), Albert Chifita as the party candidate in the November 19 Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election.

In welcoming Mr Chifita's adoption ahead of today's nominations, the ruling party's constituency chairperson, Tiki Mulofwa said in Solwezi yesterday that the MMD national executive committee (NEC) should be applauded for the choice.

"We really appreciate NEC's choice, we will not have problems selling Mr Chifita as he is the people's choice. With him as our candidate, we are confident of retaining the seat," Mr Mulofwa said.

Mr Chifita, who was asked to contest the seat by the community after it fell vacant following the death of its member of Parliament, Benny Tetamashimba, was selected ruling party candidate from a strong field of 12 candidates.

Mr Chifita, who is a former deputy general manager at the closed Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, was the choice for the grassroots in the district including the Zambia National Marketers Association.

Meanwhile, the Patriotic Front (PF) says the PF-United Party for National Development (UPND) pact was ready to meet Mr Chifita, who was MMD Central Province vice-chairperson until his appointment as Solwezi DC.

PF provincial chairperson, Denis Kanyakula said the pact was ready to meet any candidate the MMD would have adopted.

"We're not scared of Mr Chifita, we will hit the MMD hard and we know where to hit them," said Mr Kanyakula, who is a Solwezi Central parliamentary independent losing candidate in the 2006 general elections.

UPND Solwezi District chairperson, Frank Mbalama, whose party is expected to provide a candidate for the pact, said they were confident of victory and were looking forward to peaceful and mature campaigns.

"We need mature and peaceful elections, there should be no insults. These elections will come and go, and we will continue living in Solwezi," Mr Mbalama said.

The other political party expected to field a candidate is Ludwig Sondashi-headed Forum For Democratic Alternatives which had nominated Muhammad Kalela as its candidate.