Mfuwe Goes To The Polls

Voters in Mfuwe constituency, Eastern Province are casting their votes to elect a new member of parliament today. It follows the jailing of former PF MP Maureen Mabonga for inciting tribal hatred, triggering a by-election.

Ms Mabonga was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and ordered to pay a K1,600 fine in May after a judge found her guilty of “seditious practices”, including inciting a “national uprising” on ethnic grounds.

A by-election was initially slated for 10 July, however the Electoral Commission of Zambia pushed the poll date back to 7 August following discussions with local stakeholders.

Campaigning in Mfuwe has been largely peaceful, however the ECZ has deployed security staff and election monitors as a precaution.

Just three candidates have registered to contest the seat: Malama Mfunelo of the UPND, Brian Kunda of the National Congress Party (NCP) and Charles Mubaanga of the Socialist Party.

The Tonse Alliance is supporting NCP candidate Brian Kanda, despite the Socialist Party also being a member of the alliance, leading to further confusion about how the loose collection of political parties will contest next year’s general elections.

The three candidates have all chosen different focus areas, with Mr Mfunelo saying he will use the expanded Constituency Development Fund to deliver for local people. Mr Mubaanga, meanwhile, has cited the Chiundaponda road as his development priroty, while Mr Junda has simply said that, as a Mfuwe local, he understands the people’s needs and priorities