THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set October 21 as the date for the Kaumbwe Constituency Parliamentary election.

In a statement, Monday, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said the Commission would also conduct council chairperson elections for Chisamba and Lusangazi districts as well as four local government ward elections on the same date.

She explained that the election in Kaumbwe Constituency was necessitated following the death of UPND candidate Boniface Khnodowe on July 20.

“Notice is hereby given to the general public that pursuant to Article 52 (6) of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed 21st October, 2021 as the date on which to hold the Kaumbwe Constituency Parliamentary election in Petauke District of Eastern Province. On the same date, the Commission will also conduct Council Chairperson Elections for Chisamba and Lusangazi Districts of Central and Eastern Provinces respectively. Further, the Commission will conduct four Local Government Ward Elections in Kamifungo Ward of Masaiti Town Council in Copperbelt Province, Lufubu Ward of Mwansabombwe District in Luapula Province, Kalilele Ward of Mushindamo Town Council in North-Western Province and Mulamfu Ward of Zimba Town Council in Southern Province,” Luhanga said.

“The Election in Kaumbwe Constituency has been necessitated following the death of United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate, Mr Boniface Iwell Khondowe, on Tuesday 20th July, 2021. The election in Chisamba is as a result of the death of Socialist Party (SP) candidate, Mr Stallone Joobe on 10th July 2021, while the election in Lusangazi District is caused by the death of the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate, Mr William Banda on 17th July, 2021. The elections in all the four wards in various parts of the country are also as a result of deaths of some candidates.”

Luhanga stated that male aspiring candidates in the Kaumbwe Parliamentary election were expected to pay K15,000 non-refundable nomination fee, while female and youth aspiring candidates were expected to pay K13,500.

“The polls will take place from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. Aspiring candidates in the elections 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 of oaths, election officer or returning officer on Thursday, 30th September, 2021 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours,” she said.

“Aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary election in Kaumbwe Constituency and Chisamba and Lusangazi District Councils should take along with them 15 supporters who must be registered voters in the said Constituency and Districts. The supporters must have in possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters’ Cards. Male aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary election will be required to pay K15,000, while female and Youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay K13,500, non-refundable nomination fee. Male aspiring candidates for the Council Chairperson election will be required to pay K3,500, while female and youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay K3,000 non-refundable nomination fee.”

Luhanga further stated that male aspiring candidates in the local government ward elections would be required to pay K1,500 for city and municipal councils and K600 for district councils, while female and youth aspiring candidates were expected to pay K1,000 for city and municipal councils and K500 for district councils.

“Aspiring candidates in the local government ward elections should take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Male Aspiring candidates will be required to pay K1, 500, for city and municipal councils and K600.00 for district councils, non-refundable nomination fee,” Luhanga said.

“Female and youth aspiring candidates in the local government ward elections are expected to pay K1,000, for city and municipal councils and K500 for district councils, non-refundable nomination fee. All candidates in the elections must also present certified copies of their grade 12 certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent. In view of this, the Commission wishes to advise aspiring candidates who may wish to contest in these elections that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void.”

Meanwhile, Luhanga said the campaign period for the said elections would commence on Thursday, September 30.

“Note that the campaign period for these elections commences on Thursday 30th September, 2021 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 20th October, 2021. In addition, not more than two political party members per participating political party or candidate shall be allowed to witness the counting of votes at the Polling Station,” said Luhanga.

“The Commission would like to further inform all stakeholders and participating political parties or candidates that they are required to observe the Ministry of Health guidelines and procedures on the prevention of COVID-19 and the standard operating procedures on elections and COVID-19. In this regard, the Commission has put in place measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 during all electoral activities and is appealing to all stakeholders in the electoral process to adhere to the set guidelines.”