By Mubanga Mubanga
UPND presidential media committee member Cosmas Chileshe says the people of Kawambwa have to pay for the price of democracy following the conviction of their member of parliament Nickson Chilangwa.
And Chileshe said he would add a lot of value to the UPND if adopted for the Kawamba seat.
Last week, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) set November 21, 2024 as the day for the nomination of candidates for the Kawambwa by-elections while the election will take place on December 20, 2024.
The commission stated that the by-election had arisen after the conviction of Chilangwa.
But PF have cried foul over the decision of (ECZ) to declare the seat vacant and announcing the date of election following the conviction of Chilangwa for arson.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation, Chileshe who is one of the aspiring candidates for the seat, said the UPND had nothing to do with the nullification of the seat by ECZ as it was purely a criminal matter.
“No, the insinuations are not correct because the issues leading to the nullification of this seat is purely a criminal matter which was determined by the courts of law. The case of arson, and other cases that were related to the court process. The UPND media has nothing to do with the nullification, it is a criminal matter which was dealt with,” Chileshe said.
“And democracy as it may be, it requires that people would need a representative, despite the incumbent going through a conviction leading to the nullification of the seat. So it has nothing to do with the UPND, but the cost of democracy that we must be ready at any time to pay for so that people are adequately represented in parliament.”
Chileshe also said the PF should look at the case of Chilangwa on its merit rather than politicising it.
“People should look at the insinuations on merit. Of course politically, they would want to set that agenda, but in this case we are purely looking at the criminal matter which was ably dealt with by the courts of law,” he said.
He said anyone who had any argument, there were court processes that they could seek to address those concerns.
“But as it is now it has been concluded, and we can only wish the best to the incumbent. Of course he’s serving a sentence,” Chileshe said.
And Chileshe said the UPND was going to win the seat .
“Kawambwa District in general, have shown that they have accepted the developmental programs that the UPND has embarked on. Even with the coming elections, for Kawambwa Central, we are very confident that we are getting that seat,” Chileshe said.
Chileshe said he was going to add a lot of value to the UPND if he was adopted.
“I still feel that the party should look at my candidacy in terms of the adoption process. It is not just about who has been there, but what quality are we adding to the already honorable … of all the candidates. I know within the UPND l think I am one that will give a lot of value to the UPND if l am adopted as the member of parliament for Kawambwa,” said Chileshe.
