By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO
POLITICAL parties have started gearing up for the Chawama Parliamentary by-election set for April 14.
The seat fell vacant after area Member of Parliament (MP) Edgar Lungu was elected President of Zambia on January 20, 2015.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) recently announced that it 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.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) expressed confidence that it would emerge victorious in the impending by-election in Chawama Constituency.
Party Secretary General, Davies Chama said the party would scoop the parliamentary election as people in Chawama Constituency had confidence in the party due to its tangible developmental projects that had transformed the area.
. Chama
Mr Chama said that the PF was conducting interviews for the 23 aspiring candidates and would soon pick a candidate.
Mr Chama expressed gratitude to the people of Chawama for the elevation of President Edgar Lungu from that of a MP to his current position.
In a separate interview, United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy Spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said the opposition would win the seat as it is getting overwhelming response on the ground.
Mr Lifwekelo said the party had so far received five applications from credible candidates of which two were female and three were renowned business executives.
He said the party hoped the number increased and that the party would inform the public who will contest the parliamentary election before the end of next week.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) spokesperson, Antonio Mwanza said his party would go for a National Policy Committee meeting that would endorse a candidate and decide on whether the party would contest.
Mr Mwanza said the party would only issue a comprehensive statement after the meeting this week.
MMD National Secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima said the party was ready to contest any election.
Mr Mbulakulima said the party would have a clear position after the National Executive Committee (NEC) convened during the week.
