UPND clean sweep early round
….as ruling party locks in 10 plus seats before election day
By DAVID KANDUZA
THE ruling UPND has legally won more than 10 parliamentary seats before election day following their candidates going unopposed in their constituencies.
The party has also won ward, council chairpersons and mayoral seats unopposed following the close of nominations for the upcoming general election slated for August 13, this year.
According to preliminary nomination returns and UPND official notices, some high-profile incumbent and newly adopted Members of Parliament (MPs) successfully retained and won their seats respectively without facing a contest.
Leading the list is the former minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu ( Monze Constituency), Vumango Musumali ( Zambezi West), Trevor Mwiinde (Choma South), Edgar Siakachoma (Kalomo North), Clement Andeleki (Kazungula North) and Siakole Nchimunya (Sinazongwe).
In addition to the parliamentary break throughs, a number of UPND ward councillors have also sailed through unopposed.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) confirmed that Nosiku Saboi went entirely unopposed in the Salunda Ward (Liuwa Constituency).
Similarly, three UPND councillors in Mazabuka (Kaleya West, Mazabuka Central and Kaonga Wards) secured their seats early when opposition parties failed to field candidates before the nomination deadlines.
The early wins give the ruling UPND an immediate numerical advantage in the legislature and local councils before the general voting commences.