The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Tuesday 9th June, 2020 as the date on which to conduct Local Government By-elections in Nakato and Imalyo Wards of Mongu Town Council, in Western Province and Bulilo Ward of Chilubi Town Council, in Northern Province.
Nominations for the By-elections in the three wards will take place on Tuesday, 19th May, 2020 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours. This is according to a statement issued by ECZ Public Relations Manager, Margaret Chimanse recently. The Elections in the three Wards have been necessitated by the resignations of the incumbent Councilors.
“Aspiring candidates in the Local Government Ward By-elections should take along with them nine (9) supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Aspiring candidates will be required to pay Seven Hundred and fifty Kwacha (K750.00), for City and Municipal Councils and Four Hundred Kwacha (K400.00) for District Councils, non-refundable nomination fee,” said Ms. Chimanse.
Ms. Chimanse added that candidates interested to contest in any of the three (3) Ward By-elections must also present certified copies of their Grade 12 Certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent. Further, Ms. Chimanse advised that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void.
All completed and attested nomination papers must be lodged 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 19th May, 2020, which is the prescribed date.
The Commission has also put in place measures to prevent the transmission of COVID – 19 and is appealing to the various stakeholders in the electoral process to observe regulations as prescribed.
Political Parties are in this regard discouraged from holding public rallies to avoid the contraction of COVID-19. The Commission further encourages Political Parties and other Stakeholders 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 are also advised to desist from ferrying cadres from one district/ward to the other for campaigns in Districts where by-elections are taking place.