The United Party for National Development (UPND) has adopted former independent parliamentary candidate Adrian Banda to contest the Mandevu Constituency by-election scheduled for November 5. UPND National Chairperson for Elections Likando Mufalila announced Banda’s adoption…

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has adopted former independent parliamentary candidate Adrian Banda to contest the Mandevu Constituency by-election scheduled for November 5.

 

UPND National Chairperson for Elections Likando Mufalila announced Banda’s adoption yesterday, alongside Anderson Banda, who will contest the Lumezi Constituency by-election, and Felix Mulwanda, the party’s candidate for the Nambala District Council Chairperson seat.

 

Mufalila said the party received eight applications from aspiring candidates for the Mandevu parliamentary seat.

 

He urged all those who had expressed interest in the various positions to rally behind the adopted candidates and work together for the success of the party.

 

Banda’s adoption comes days after he officially rejoined the UPND on October 2, describing the move as a return to his political roots.

He started his political career with the UPND in 2011 before later joining the Patriotic Front.

 

Before entering parliamentary politics, Banda served as Ngwerere Ward 22 local government councillor in Mandevu Constituency for more than a decade.

 

He contested the August 13 general election as an independent candidate for Mandevu and was among the top contenders alongside UPND candidate Christopher Shakafuswa and Resolute Party candidate Jean Kapata.

 

However, the Mandevu parliamentary election was declared inconclusive after criminals attacked the constituency results aggregation centre on August 18.

 

The attackers assaulted electoral staff and destroyed results transmission kits and election materials, including ballot papers.

 

The incident left the Returning Officer unable to verify and declare the final results, prompting the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to order a fresh election.

 

Following his adoption, Banda called on youths and party structures to rally behind the UPND government, saying Mandevu Constituency should have one party.

 

He thanked the party for adopting him and said his work in the constituency had started immediately.

“I’m grateful that the UPND has adopted me and my work in the Constituency starts now,” he said.

“Through the UPND, I will make sure to deliver what people want.”

 

The ECZ has set October 8 as nomination day, with campaigns scheduled to run from October 10 to November 4.

The Mandevu Constituency by-election will be held on November 5.