4 by-elections set for July 25, Solwezi East, Chipata Central, Mkushi North and Kafulafuta.

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set July 25 for four parliamentary and 11 local government by-elections.
The four parliamentary seats are Solwezi East, Chipata Central, Mkushi North and Kafulafuta.
The seat in Chipata Central fell vacant after the courts nullified it while the vacancies in the rest of the parliamentary seats are a result of resignations by incumbent representatives.
ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna announced this in Lusaka yesterday during an interactive meeting with journalists from across the country.
Mr Akufuna also said preparations for the Feira by-election, which take place on June 20, have advanced.
He said the ECZ is fully prepared to conduct the poll.
And ECZ chairperson Justice Irene Mambilima has cautioned chiefs against threatening their subjects to vote for their preferred candidates.
Justice Mambilima said the ECZ has noticed a growing tendency by chiefs to threaten their subjects to vote for their preferred candidates.
“Some chiefs intimidate and threaten their subjects if they do not vote in a particular way. This is against the electoral act,” she said.
Justice Mambilima said the ECZ has since started sensitising chiefs on the provisions of the electoral code of conduct.
“We will meet chiefs in Feira on Friday, May 31 and this is just the beginning,” Justice Mambilima said.