Thursday, 4th February, 2021 By-Elections for Vubwi Town Council Chairperson and Miputu Ward of Masaiti District set
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By Derrick Sinjela
Barely 120 days before dissolution of Parliament and Local Government leadership structures on Wednesday 12th May 2021, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Thursday, 4th February, 2021 as the date on which to hold by-elections for Vubwi Town Council Chairperson and a Local Government by-election in Miputu Ward of Masaiti District.
ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga says the by-election in Vubwi District of the Eastern Province, is occasioned by the the death of the Vubwi Council Chairperson Mr. Joshua Daka, a Patriotic Front (PF) member, while a vacancy in Masaiti District of the Copperbelt Province arose due to the resignation of United Party for National Development (UPND) Miputu Councillor, Mr Mabeti Hosini.
In a Monday 11th January 2021 Press Release circulated by ECZ Public Relations Officer (PRO) Raphael Phiri, Ms. Luhanga implored aspiring candidates to lodge completed nomination papers and attested statutory declaration forms before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer on Thursday, 14th January 2021 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.
“Aspiring candidates for the Council Chairperson By-election in Vubwi Town Council should take along with them fifteen (15) supporters who must be registered voters in the said Town. The supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters’ Cards. Aspiring candidates for the Council Chairperson by-election will be required to pay Two Thousand Kwacha (K2, 000), non-refundable nomination fee,” advised Ms. Luhanga.
Media personnel and registered Non-Governmental Organisations are advised to apply for accreditation in the respective districts from Tuesday 12th to Wednesday 13th January, 2021 for the Nominations, and Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd February, 2021 for the polls.
Accreditation for political party officials wishing to monitor elections in the District and Ward shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per political party, not more than two (2) political party members per participating political party will witness counting of votes, with a maximum of five (5) accredited members per political party and two accredited representatives of NGOs authorised at the Collation Centre (Totalling Centre).
Only five (5) senior officials of a participating political party with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre and supporters to remain outside the 400 metre parameter.
The campaign period for these elections commences at 15:00 hours on Thursday 14th January 2021 and end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday 3rd February, 2021 within Ministry of Health Guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19.