Acting President Guy Scott has announced January 20 2015 will be the date for the presidential by election.
And the acting president has insisted that his party the PF will still go a general conference to elect their candidate.
The announcement of the polling date marks the official commencement of the political campaigns for all participating parties and their candidates.
Addressing a news conference this afternoon, Dr Scott disclosed that the presidential by election shall be held on Tuesday, 20th January 2015.
Dr Scott said this is in accordance with Zambia’s constitution Article 38 (1), which provide that if the Office of President becomes vacant by reason of the President’s death, an election to the office of President shall be held in accordance with Article 34 within 90 days from the date of the office becoming vacant.
“I wish to reiterate my profound gratitude to the general public for the maturity, love and peace exhibited during the State Funeral of our Late President His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. It is my prayer that we will continue with the same spirit during the campaigns and the presidential by election.”
And Dr Scott says the PF is not under pressure to campaign as its track record in government speaks for itself.
He said the ruling PF will win the election because it has delivered on most of its promises.
Dr Scott also maintained that the PF will go for the general conference adding that nominations for the presidency will close on Wednesday.
Dr. Scott says the Patriotic Front is ready for the by election despite not yet picking a candidate to represent the party.
He said the party has structure and people in place to handle election but was quick to note the it was not easy to prepare for an election in an event of the death of the President because it was not expected.
Commenting on the choosing a candidate for the PF, Dr. Scott said the party will meet try to simplify the process by getting consensus between aspiring candidates by allowing them to choose the preferred candidate amongst themselves.
He said if this process fails to get a candidate the party will go for the convention to ensure that no aspiring candidate is unconstitutionally disadvantage. (ZambianWD)
