UPND in Sesheke early lead as PF mops all the seven ward by-elections

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate in the Sesheke Parliamentary by-election, Romeo Kang’ombe has taken an early lead in the poll.

From the 12 polling stations out of the 43 where counting has been done, Mr. Kang’ombe has polled 5732 votes while PF’s Dean Masule has polled 1825 votes.

The other two opposition candidates of the UPPZ and PAC are trailing with unconfirmed 26 and 20 votes respectively.

According to Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse, official election results are expected later on Wednesday owing to the delay which is as a result of some polling stations not being easily accessible.

Meanwhile the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Party has won all the 7 local government by-elections.

PF’s Roderick Banda has won the Chindwale ward seat in Katete District after polling 834 beating his only rival UPND’s Jenipher Phiri who polled 274 votes.

Returning officer Kaitlyn Nyirenda declared Mr. Banda as the duly elected Chindwale Ward Councilor at about 21:50 Hrs.

In Lundazi District , the Patriotic Front has scooped the Mkomba Ward by election after party’s candidate Stephen Banda got 1, 277 votes while the UPND candidate John Mtonga garnered 252 votes.

The Patriotic Front has also won the Nkombwa ward elections in Isoka District.

PF’s Humphrey Nzunda has polled 734 while Geofrey Ngulube of the UPND managed to collect 426 votes.

Meanwhile the PF has taken away Sewe Mungole Ward from the UPND whose candidate resigned to join the Patriotic Front leading to a by election.

Returning officer Peter Zulu declared the ruling party’s candidate Jonathan Loje as the winning candidate after polling 487 votes while the UPND candidate Evans Kapatashi  received 252 votes.

In Chililabombwe, the Patriotic Front(PF’s) candidate Kangwa Nsofwa who got 494 votes has won the Anoya Zulu seat while the UPND candidate Evans Mwambula with 351 votes managed to beat the only independent candidate Joseph Kazenzi who got a paltry 89 votes.

The Patriotic Front has also beaten the UPND and NDC in the Chinkutila Local Government by election where their candidate polled 1, 536 while the closest rival of the UPND got 308 with the NDC candidate coming out last with 281 votes.

And the Patriotic Front has won the Munyama Ward of Bwacha Constituency in Kabwe District

PF’s Gregory Makungu was declared winner by Returning Officer Nelly Muyoka after polling 386 votes while his only contender UPND’s Jacob Njobvu polled  348 votes.

The By Elections were necessitated by the resignation and death of some leaders.