Violence mars legislative by-election campaign

Violence broke out in Zambia’s Kabwata urban constituency on Sunday as voters prepared for a crucial legislative by-election in four days’ time, AFP has reported.

Quoting police sources, the report said there were no reports of casualties from the clashes involving the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and the newly formed opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD). However, a senior police official was quoted as saying: “We have arrested one FDD member who assaulted some MMD cadres last night (Saturday).”

Kabwata, a densely populated constituency which houses mostly government workers, is situated in the capital, Lusaka. According to the report, three political parties are contesting the by-election which was called after MP and Vice President, Godfrey Miyanda, left the ruling MMD to form his own Heritage Party. The former ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP) is also fielding a candidate.

Another legislative by-election would take place the same day in Isoka East, a rural constituency in the Northern province of Zambia, the report said. The seat became vacant after Bob Sichinga, an independent MP, joined the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND). Members of parliament automatically lose their seats when they switch parties. Other leading opposition parties have boycotted the two by-elections on grounds that they are too close to the presidential and parliamentary elections expected to be held by early November, the report said.