By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set April 14, 2015 as the date for the Chawama Parliamentary by-election.
The seat fell vacant after area Member of Parliament (MP) Edgar Lungu was elected as President of Zambia on January 20, 2015.
ECZ public relations office,r Raphael Phiri said the Commission would on the same date conduct by-elections for eight local government wards, which fell vacant as a result of resignations or deaths of councillors.
Mr Phiri announced this in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday.
Those wishing to stand for these positions have been requested to submit their nomination papers on March 10, 2015 from 09:00 to 15:00 hours.
The campaign period for the by-elections would begin on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 15:00 and end on Monday, April 13 at 18:00 hours.
“Aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed 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 Tuesday, March 10, 2015,” Mr Phiri said.
He said aspiring candidates for the Chawama Parliamentary seat should take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in the constituency.
The supporters must have in their possession green national registration cards and voters’ cards.
“Aspiring candidates in the Chawama Parliamentary seat would be required to attend nomination briefings on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Civic Centre in Lusaka and would be required to pay K500 non-refundable fee,” Mr Phiri said.
He said aspiring candidates in the Local government by-elections should take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards and would be required to pay K175.50 non-refundable fee to municipal and district councils, respectively.