Maravi

UPND-PF pact scoop Solwezi Central, Choma polls

UPND-PF pact scoop Solwezi Central, Choma polls
By Mutuna Chanda in Solwezi and Charles Mangwato in Choma
Fri 20 Nov. 2009, 09:50 CAT

OPPOSITION UPND-PF pact candidate Watson Lumba has been declared new Solwezi Central member of parliament after beating his closest rival of the ruling MMD by 1, 212 votes in yesterday's highly contested by-election. And the UPND-PF pact has registered another victory in the Kauba ward by-election in Pemba constituency of Choma district.

In Solwezi, Lumba got 5, 669 votes while MMD's Chifita polled 4, 457. Other candidates were Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA) candidate Muhammed Kalela who got 189 and independent candidate Thomas Kafula who only managed 51 votes.

The Solwezi Central seat fell vacant following the death of Bennie Tetamashimba who died two months ago after an illness.

This is the PF-UPND pact's second major victory after their success by a wide margin in the Kasama Central by-election last month that saw the election of Lusaka businessman Geofrey Bwalya Mwamba as the area member of parliament.

And according to Kauba elections results released early Friday day by district electoral officer Enock Kandingwa who is also Choma town clerk, the UPND/PF candidate, Hudson Bbole polled 945 votes against the MMD's Hosea Mwana who managed a paltry 308 votes.
He said there were 15 rejected votes.


Voting in the Kauba ward by election took place Thursday, November 19.
The seat fell vacant after area UPND councilor Harry Hamuntanga resigned to take up an appointment as local court presiding justice in Chief Moyo's area.


Vice-President George Kunda held two campaign meetings on Monday this week to drum up support for the MMD candidate in the Kuaba ward by election.


And UPND Southern Province vice chairperson John Chidyaka told Post On-line that it was inevitable for the UPND-PF pact to win the Kauba ward by election as people in the province were geared for change.

He said the pact's victory was a foregone conclusion even when Vice-President Kunda was in the area to campaign for the MMD candidate.

Chidyaka accused Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe of misinforming Vice president Kunda that MMD was gaining ground in the province.

"We are sending warning messages to Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe that people are now prepared to get the UPND-PF pact into government," said Chidyaka.

" Mr Munkombwe must retire from politics because he is tired. He is a tired man who must not be in the boxing ring.”

Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, PF-UPND

posted by MrK @ 9:23 AM