THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has denied allegations that it played a part in the withdrawal of NRPUP from the Lumezi by-election. ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro clarifies that it was NRPUP that formally communicated its decision not to participate in the by-elections through a letter dated October 7, 2026. The NRPUP wrote to the Commission on October 7, indicating that it will not participate in the Lumezi North and Mandevu parliamentary by-elections, the Mbala mayoral by-election, or any other by-elections scheduled for November 5. The decision left Lumezi North with only two validly nominated candidates: Anderson Banda of the UPND and Nebby Manda of the Leadership Movement. However, Manda subsequently resigned from the race, prompting the Commission...