Maravi

4 to contest Lusaka mayoral polls

4 to contest Lusaka mayoral polls
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wednesday June 13, 2007 [04:00]

ABOUT four Lusaka councillors are expected to contest today’s mayoral elections to replace expelled Susan Nakazwe. In an interview, Lusaka town clerk Timothy Hakuyu said the elections would be held at the civic centre and all councillors who wish to contest the elections were free to lodge in their nominations up to two hours before election time.

Deputy mayor Steve Chilatu has indicated interest to contest the mayoral position.
“I’m very confident of winning,” said Chilatu.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) dominates the Lusaka City Council, with 34 members following the expulsion of Susan Nakazwe and councillor Boniface Musondamwaume.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has four councillors while the ruling MMD has none.

Sources say apart from Chilatu, two other PF councilors were expected to contest the mayoral post and the UPND also plans to field a candidate.
Only male candidates are likely to contest the mayoral position.
Meanwhile, one councillor from PF and another from the UPND are expected to contest the deputy mayoral position.

Nakazwe and Musondamwaume were expelled by the PF and subsequently from the council after they went to welcome China’s President Hu Jintao at the Lusaka International Airport against their party’s directive that no PF councillor or parliamentarian should welcome President Hu.

Thereafter, Nakazwe and Musondamwaume took the matter to court.
However, the court upheld their expulsion and their seats were declared vacant.
When asked yesterday if she had any advice to the would-be mayor for Lusaka, Nakazwe responded, “I have been out of office for the last two months so I can’t say anything.”

Labels: LUSAKA, MAYOR

posted by MrK @ 5:43 AM