Lusaka : Zambia’s election regulator said Wednesday that 11 political parties have so far confirmed that they will field candidates in January next year’s presidential election.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima said in Lusaka, the country’s capital, that 11 parties have already notified the commission of their intentions to participate in the Jan 20 presidential election.
The electoral body chief said the parties have since notified the commission of the date and time in which they intend to file in their nominations except for the governing Patriotic Front(PF) which is yet to do so.
The electoral body has since extended the nomination days many times to accommodate all the presidential candidates.
The commission has also reiterated the need for all political parties to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner to observe the electoral rules, adding that each political party has a role to play to ensure a peaceful transition.
Zambia will hold a presidential election on Jan 20 following the death of President Michael Sata Oct 28. According to the country’s law, an election be held within 90 days.