THE Electoral Commission of Zambia has set September 17, 2020 as polling date for the Lukashya and Mwanasabombwe parliamentary by-elections.

And ECZ says there will be no public rallies to avert the spread of COVID-19, urging political parties to devise other campaign strategies.

In a statement, Tuesday, ECZ public relations manager Margaret Chimanse also said 12 local government by-elections would also be held on the same date.

She stated that the commission had set August 27 as the date for filling in of nominations.

“The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set 17th September, 2020 as the date on which to hold Parliamentary by elections for Lukashya and Mwansabombwe Constituency and 12 local government wards in various districts of the Copperbelt, North Western and Lusaka Provinces. This follows the death of Mr Rodgers Mwewa, MP for Mwansabombwe Constituency and Mr Mwenya Mukonge, MP for Lukashya Constituency on 18th July 2020. The vacancies in the local government wards have arisen following resignations and death of councillors,” Chimanse stated.

“Aspiring candidates in the by elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner of oaths, election officer or returning officer on the 27th of August 2020.”

Chimanse stated that political parties would not be allowed to hold public rallies and were expected to use other methods to campaign to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

“Kindly take note that stakeholders and participating party members are all required to observe the Ministry of Health Guidelines and procedures on the prevention of COVID-19 at all times. The Commission has put in place measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and is appealing to the various stakeholders in the electoral process to observe the following: political parties are discouraged from holding public rallies to avoid the contraction of COVID-19; political parties and other stakeholders are encouraged to use appropriate campaign strategies such as mobile public address system, distribution of flyers and other political party materials with minimal or no contact with a crowd. Political parties should desist from ferrying cadres from one district/ward to the other for campaigns in districts where by elections are taking place,” said Chimanse.