By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Chingola District Returning Officer Kabombo Mutekela has implored aspiring candidates in the August 12 elections to help in keeping peace.
Mr Mutekela said candidates should avoid tension among themselves during the period of campaigns and the actual day of elections.
Speaking during briefing of aspiring candidates involved in the 2021 polls, held at Chingola Secondary School today, Mr Mutekela provided guidelines to avoid tension.
Mr Mutekela, who is also Chingola Town Clerk, said that only supporters from the adopted candidates’ jurisdiction will be allowed to give support to the candidates in limited numbers.
He said that candidates should refrain from ferring supporters from other constituencies to avoid tensions at nomination centers.
“Those who will be adopted at various levels should ensure that they stick and follow the stipulated conducts before, during and after the August polls.
“Aspiring candidates should avoid tensions by keeping calm realising that the period of elections can bring tensions among political parties. Aspiring candidates should pay attention to their participation in the August 12, polls,” he said.
Mr Mutekela said that there is a need for political parties to submit adopted candidates by Friday next week.
And Chingola Constituency assistant Return Officer Evans Nkhoma said the qualification of candidates to contest in the August polls with regards to the grade 12 certificate is six passes including English.
Speaking at the same function, Mr Nkhoma said that an equivalent to a grade 12 certificate is the General Education Certificate (GCE)
“Aspiring candidates that have re-sat for their grade 12 should possess at least 5 passes and a credit to qualify for the august polls, ” he said.
He said that a Grade 12 certificate should be certified by the Examination Council of Zambia and the certification certificate should be provided on the day of nominations.
Mr Nkhoma said that without the certified results, candidates will not be allowed to file in their nominations as the requirements are not met with certified certificates.