WHO GETS CHILANGA?

TODAY`S parliamentary by-election in Chilanga is a real litmus test for the four political parties that have floated candidates in the contest that seems to have panned out somewhat peacefully.

Although the campaign was initially tinted by pockets of violence, the process has unfolded harmoniously as political nemesis criss-crossed in the vast peri-urban constituency in Lusaka province.

The constituency stretches from the Western part of the capital city to the Southern direction, inhabited by residents of varying social status and inclinations.

Patriotic Front (PF) has floated Maria Langa while the United Party for National Development (UPND) has equally pinned its hopes on a female candidate Charmaine Musonda.

National Restoration Party (NAREP) settled for Pride Mazabuka, who is just as youthful as Francis Kope, the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) candidate.

During the campaigns, the four parliamentary candidates seemed to have a similar message, promising to improve social infrastructure.

They also pledged to lobby for improved agricultural services.

That said, the message is important but equally important is the political party on which a candidate rides.

The trend in Zambia and in many other countries is that the electorate will usually not isolate a candidate from the party.

In Chilanga, the reality is that the race is between the UPND and the PF whose candidates and their respective supporters have traversed the breadth and length of the vast constituency, fighting for supremacy.

Recently, the PF stamped its authority on the political landscape after scooping 13 seats out the 16 in the Local Government by-elections.

The ruling party went all out to claim seats in the UPND stronghold in Western and North-western provinces.

Smarting from a bitter defeat, the UPND went into the Chilanga by-election campaign with vigour in order to turn the tide while the PF combed the peri-urban constituency with aplomb.

The start for UPND was blurred as members, even in the rank and file of the party, expressed displeasure about the adoption of Ms Musonda, coming on the heels of her acquittal of a capital offence of murder.

The seat fell vacant after the conviction of Lusaka lawyer Keith Mukata, who was condemned to death by the Lusaka High Court. He has since appealed against conviction and sentence.

He was UPND Member of Parliament.

On the campaign platform, Ms Langa and PF leaders spoke with candour about the infrastructure development rolled out thus far not only in Chilanga constituency, but also in most parts of the country.

The campaign was also premised on continued developmental projects, easy access to corridors of power and ultimately effective representation of matters affecting the electorate.

UPND also boasted of effective representation and the need to strengthen the opposition voice in Parliament in order for the party to continue offering sustained checks and balances to the Government.

The 10-point plan was also their tramp card, which however can only be implemented while in power.

NAREP`s Mr Mazabuka, went out to emphasise the need for a different and unique approach to politics, perhaps taking a leaf from his president Elias Chipimo.

Mr Mazabuka was coming out with much confidence articulating issues, though mostly before the glare of media cameras and not much to any crowd.

For Mr Kope, he exuded much of his energy confidently during debates and demonstrated that truly and given a chance, he has what it takes to explore issues in the parliamentary chamber.

The final decision, however, will be made today by the electorate in the ballot.

Chilanga constituency has 25 polling stations across the district, with 49,614 registered voters from the 2016 voters register – 26,332 males and 23,282 females.

Thus who takes Chilanga!