Four candidates successfully filed in their nomination papers to contest for the Mpika North Parliamentary seat in Muchinga Province ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
And Mpika District Electoral Officer, Samuel Musenga has warned that any political party or candidate found violating Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) guidelines risks being penalised or disqualified from participating in the election.
Mr Musenga issued the warning shortly after the close of nominations for aspiring parliamentary candidates in Mpika North.
He said all candidates are expected to strictly adhere to ECZ regulations before, during, and after the elections.
Mr Musenga cautioned that any candidate who breaches the electoral guidelines risks facing sanctions and should not blame anyone when such action is taken.
“We want all candidates to campaign freely while adhering to the Electoral Code of Conduct,” he said.
The aspiring Members of Parliament who successfully filed in their nominations are Bernard Chibale of the Citizens First Party (CFP), Modicai Sichalwe of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Francis Kapyanga of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), and Michael Chilufya Sata an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, UPND candidate Modicai Sichalwe has called for peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections.
Mr Sichalwe said aspiring candidates should focus on explaining their development agenda to the people of Mpika North instead of engaging in violence.
“I am sure all aspiring candidates know what is expected of them during the election period,” he said.
And Citizens First Party candidate Bernard Chibale has urged political players in the constituency to conduct issue-based campaigns.
Mr Chibale said despite belonging to different political parties, all candidates are Zambians who must coexist peacefully.
“Zambia is known for peace, and this should continue even during elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Francis Kapyanga has commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia for the manner in which it has managed the electoral process so far.
Mr Kapyanga said despite the challenges being faced, the ECZ has successfully put in place the necessary measures to allow political parties and other stakeholders to participate freely in the forthcoming general elections.
“It is encouraging to see that the ECZ has, from the beginning, allowed all stakeholders to actively participate in the electoral process,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the independent candidate failed.
