2 withdraw from presidential race

The Common Cause Democracy and the National Party have withdrawn from contesting the January 20, 2015 presidential race.

Common Cause Democracy president James Mtonga pulled out of the race after failing to raise the K10, 000 nomination fee and the 200 supporters required for him to successfully file in his nomination papers for the presidential elections.

Mr. Mtonga informed returning officer Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda of his intentions to withdraw his candidature at the Supreme Court this morning.

He pledged to support United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema’s presidential bid.

And National Party president Richard Kabulo said he was also withdrawing from the presidential race because of logistical reasons.

Reverend Kabulo has since written to Justice Chibesakunda informing her of his withdrawal from the presidential race.

And the Zambia Police Service has given the Electoral Commission of Zambia a waiver for people to get police reports free of charge for the replacement of lost voters cards ahead of the January 20, 2015 presidential elections.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna told journalists in Lusaka today that an advert has already been done by the police themselves and will run on both radio and television.