MBALA mayoral Progressive Alliance Party (PAP) candidate Pythias Sichitalwe has withdrawn from the upcoming by-election, citing financial challenges as the reason for his decision. His withdrawal comes after his official nomination on October 8, 2026 and the commencement of mayoral campaigns on October 10, 2026. The Mbala mayoral by-election was necessitated by the death of mayor-elect Steward Simutenda on August 19, 2026. Following this development, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) scheduled the poll for November 5, 2026. In a letter written to Mbala District Electoral Officer Laura Munkanta, Monday, Sichitalwe attributed his withdrawal to financial challenges that had made it impossible for him to conduct his campaign. “I wish to formally inform the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that...
