THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set February 3, 2022 as the date to hold the Kabwata Parliamentary by-election.
In a statement, Friday, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said the fresh nominations for the by-election would be held on January 19, 2022.
“Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed Thursday 3rd February, 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election in Lusaka District of Lusaka Province. Nominations for the said by-election will be on Wednesday, 19th January 2022,” she said.
“The polls will take place from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours on 3rd February, 2022. The election in Kabwata Constituency has been necessitated following the death of United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament, Mr. Levy Mkandawire on Thursday 18th November, 2021. Note that the campaign period for this election commences on Wednesday 19th January 2022 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022.”
She said aspiring candidates were expected to pay K15,000 for male aspirants and K13,500 for female aspirants non refundable as nomination fees.
“Aspiring candidates in the by-election should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or returning officer on Wednesday, 19th January, 2022 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours,” she said.
“Aspiring candidates should take along with them fifteen (15) supporters who must be registered voters in the said Constituency. The supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters Cards. Male aspiring candidates will be required to pay Fifteen Thousand Kwacha (K15, 000), while female and youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Kwacha (K13, 500) non-refundable election (nomination) fee. All Candidates in the by-election must also present certified copies of their Grade 12 Certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent. ”
Meanwhile, Luhanga advised media personnel and NGOs wishing to monitor or observe the elections to apply for accreditation at Lusaka City Council on 17th January 2022.
“Media personnel and Registered Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to monitor/observe the election are advised to apply for accreditation at the Lusaka City Council which will take place from Monday 17th to Tuesday 18th January 2022, for Nominations and Sunday 30th January to Tuesday 2nd February 2022 for the Polls. Accreditation for political party officials/representatives of candidates wishing to monitor the election shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per
political party/candidate,” she said.
“Please note that only a maximum of 5 accredited members per political party/candidate and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorized to represent their respective political parties/candidates or NGOs at the Totaling Centre at a given time. Only five (5) senior officials of any participating political party/candidate with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing of nominations. The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400 metre parameter radius from the Nomination Centre in accordance with the law.”
The Kabwata Parliamentary by-election, which was scheduled to take place on January 20, 2022 was cancelled following the resignation of United Progressive Party (UPP) Kabwata candidate Libanda Francis.
