Lumezi By-Election Scheduled for 26th June - ECZ

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has announced that the parliamentary by-election in Lumezi constituency, Eastern Province, will be held on Thursday 26th June. The same date was also chosen for two local government by-elections: Fibalala ward in Milenge District, Luapula Province; and Tuuwa ward in Sikongo District, Western Province.

This information was revealed in a statement made on Tuesday by Patricia Luhanga, corporate affairs manager of the ECZ. In the statement, she reminded the residents of the affected areas of some of the rules, regulations, and practices of Zambian electoral law; voters can expect polls to be open from 6:00am to 6:00pm, and the deadline for the conclusion of the nomination process is one month before election day: 27th May.

Any individual interested in contesting these elections have until that date to present their statutory declaration and nomination papers, complete with a signature from a magistrate, head teacher, or electoral officer. They must also present their Grade 12 certificates, the minimum level of educational attainment required to ensure eligibility.

Furthermore, candidates contesting the elections under the banner of a political party will need to obtain the signature of the party’s secretary-general to legitimise their candidacy.

The Lumezi by-election was provoked by the conviction of the constituency’s independent member of parliament, Munir Zulu, on libel charges. The court found him guilty to defaming various members of the government including Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.

The two local by-elections were caused by the death and resignation of councillors Misheck Chisala and Likezo Kaunga respectively.