-UPND predicts victory in by- elections

UPND predicts victory in by- elections

Lusaka, May 20, 2013, ZANIS– The opposition United Party for National

Development (UPND) says it is confident of scooping  all the five

forth-coming  parliamentary  by-elections .

UPND Secretary General Winston Chibwe says the party is geared for the

polls in five constituencies in Chipata Central, Feira, Kafulafuta,

Mkushi  Central and Solwezi East.

Mr. Chibwe says UPND has an upper hand over the MMD and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in the forth-coming by-elections.

Mr. Chibwe predicted that the UPND his will amass more votes compared to the PF because the

people in these areas have now decided to support the Hakainde

Hichilema and the entire UPND because of good policies enshrined in

the party manifesto.

“This time around the ruling PF will tumble in rural areas because we

have convinced the people to vote for our party if real change is to

be seen,” Mr. Chibwe said

He claimed that UPND has got good policies on agriculture such as the

Fertilizer Input and Support Programme which had enhanced agriculture

in the rural areas.

He said people in the five areas would not be easily cheated by

government because they have  faith in Mr. Hichilema’s leadership

style of governance which is anchored on more development than mere

politicking.

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Spokesperson Cris Akufuna

recently announced that the Feira constituency  by-election

in Lusaka province will be held on June 20, 2013 following the resignation of MMD member of parliament Patrick Ngoma who joined the ruling PF.

Mr also aid 11 local government elections will take place

in different wards on the same date following deaths and resignations of councillors.

The ECZ has also set July 25, 2013 as the date for the four pending

by-elections to be held in Chipata Central, Mkushi, Kafulafuta and

Solwezi East.

The Mkushi , Kafulafuta and Solwezi East parliamentary seats fell vacant following the resignations of Members of Parliament from the MMD to join the  ruling PF while the Chipata Central seat by-election follows the nullification of election results by the Supreme court.

Meanwhile, the opposition Zambia Empowerment for Development (ZED) has

indicated that it will not field candidates in the five constituencies

because of lack of resources.

ZED president Fred Mtesa said in a separate interview that his party

would instead conduct a series of investigations in the places where

polls would be held to determine its popularity instead of wasting

people’s time.

Mr. Mtesa claimed that the Electoral Commission of Zambia cannot be trusted with holding

elections as evidenced in the past where the opposition always cried foul.