By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA, JULIUS PHIRI and SYLVIA MWEETWA –

THE electorate in Solwezi Central, Mkushi South, Vubwi, Kasenengwa and Zambezi West today take to the booths to elect their members of Parliament (MP) in keenly contested by-elections that have attracted the participation of candidates from five political parties.
In Solwzi Central, candidates include Newton Malwa of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), Dawson Kafwaya of the United Party for National development, Mary Katiki of United National Independence Party (UNIP), Nathan Mulonga of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) and MMD’s Lucky Mulusa.
Solwezi District electoral officer Ronald Daka said in an interview yesterday that all was set for today’s by-election.
The Solwezi Central seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Mr Mulusa.
In Zambezi, the contest is between MMD’s Prisca Kucheka, PF’s Christabel Ngimbu, UPND’s Charles Kakoma, Hastings Kanguya from NRP, the FDD’s Mark Kachongo and Green Party’s Chilila Kayombo.
About 59,879 registered voters in Kasenengwa and Vubwi are today expected to troop to their respective polling stations dotted across the remote areas to elect their MPs.
Of the 59,879, Kasenengwa has 41,795 voters who will be queuing up at 54 polling stations while 18,084 voters are expected to cast their ballots in 26 polling stations in Vubwi.
For the Kasenengwa seat, erstwhile MP Victoria Kalima, who is recontesting on the MMD ticket, will battle it out with Gideon Zulu of the PF, Timothy Nyirenda of the UPND and UNIP’s Khumbiza Daka.
In Vubwi, Margaret Miti of PF, MMD’s Dr Eustarckio Kazonga, UPND’s Alfonso Phiri, UNIP’s Lucas Phiri and Charles Nyoka of FDD are vying for the seat, which was previously held by the MMD.
The Mkushi South by-election is being contested by Davies Chisopa of the PF, MMD’s Sydney Chisanga and UPND’S Agnes Ng’andu.
Political parties were yesterday seen conducting last-minute campaigns urging the voters to pick their respective parties over the others.
Central Province Police Commissioner Standwell Lungu commended the parties for peaceful conduct of their campaigns.
“As police we are happy with the peaceful manner in which the campaigns were conducted,” Mr Lungu asked.