United Party for National Development (UPND) campaign manager for the Livingstone by-election Garry Nkombo has insisted that they will use the Mapatizya formula to win the seat in the February 28 by-election because it is a non-violent strategy.

Nkombo said the ruling Patriotic Front was trying to create an impression that the UPND was perpetrating violence when in fact they are the one who were a violent party.

He said his party will ensure they handle the elections fairly while effectively implementing the Mapatizya formula.

The UPND uses the Mapatizya formula as a response to curb electoral mal-practice as part of its Parallel Voter Tabulation method.

Meanwhile, the PF in Livingstone has withdrawn its commitment with other opposition parties to observe non-violence campaign during the by-elections.

Southern Province PF secretary Brian Hapunda said there is no need for his party to endorse a non-violence communiqué because they were a violent free organistion.

On Monday, six political parties that included the PF delivered a communiqué committing themselves to a violence free election campaign. This was after meeting the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that had facilitated a meeting with political parties.

"We are disassociating ourselves from a communiqué that talked about the non violent campaign because those who practice violence are the ones to sign the communiqué. The UPND are the ones to commit themselves to say they will conduct non violence campaigns. So we challenge the UPND and the MMD and other political parties to be the ones to sign that communiqué," said Hapunda.