By MAYA NTANDA and MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –

VOTERS today head to the polls in three constituencies to elect their Members of Parliament (MPs) following vigorous campaigns by candidates and their supporters.
Senga Hill and Masaiti seats fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified them, while the Chawama election was necessitated by the election of then MP Edgar Lungu, as Republican President.
Registered voters in Chawama Constituency will be electing a new MP to replace Mr Lungu.
The PF, through its candidate Lawrence Sichalwe, is aiming to retain the seat, while some opposition political parties are also jostling for the same.
The former ruling party UNIP is fielding Bywell Kaluba, while UPND is being represented by Charles Kaselwa.
The National Revolution Party (NRP) has settled for its outspoken leader Cosmo Mumba’s youthful wife Martha, as its candidate. Ms Mumba is the only female candidate in the race.
The Fourth Revolution Party is throwing its weight behind Benson Silwimba.
The people of Senga Hill in Mbala will decide between two front runners in Kapembwa Simbao, who held the seat before its nullification, and Giles Yambayamba, who successfully petitioned the 2011 election.
It is a test of popularity for Mr Simbao, who dumped the MMD and was adopted on the PF ticket. Mr Yambayamba also decided to join the UPND after the PF overlooked him in its adoption process.
Both candidates have declared confidence in scooping the seat.
Residents have equally indicated their readiness to cast their ballot for a representative that would stir development in the area.
Kelvin Mulenga said he would like to see a representative that will ensure development especially in the area of employment creation.
“I am ready to vote and I am delighted that there are plans to make this area a district because that will create jobs for us. I completed Grade 12 in 2001 and I only do casual jobs, so the intention is welcome,” he said.
Another resident, Memory Nachalwe, 18, said the MP that will be elected should ensure that he helps develop the area whose population is growing.
In Masaiti, after weeks of vigorous campaigns by various candidates, residents today have the final say on who will be their representative in parliament.
The voters want a candidate who will be able to provide a solution to some of the challenges affecting them such as the lack of a proper road network, inadequate schools, health centres and police posts.
Those contesting are independent candidate Lyton Mokola, Mobby Mutaya of the Fourth Revolution, UPND’s Peter Mumba, Lason Musumali for UNIP and Michael Katambo from PF.
Mr Mutaya has pledged to improve the agriculture sector, while Mr Katambo, who held the seat prior to the nullification, would like to continue with his developmental projects.
Mr Mumba has pledged to uplift the living standards of the people in the area.
About 26, 362 voters are registered in the constituency.
Meanwhile, police have deployed 270 officers as reinforcements to the three constituencies to ensure law and order during the elections.
Police assistant public relations officer Rae Hamoonga said in a statement that police expected that participating parties will adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“The Zambia police further wants to assure all the eligible electorates in the three constituencies to exercise their constitutional right of voting freely without any intimidations and should report any form of electoral malpractice or violence to the nearest Police Station,” he said.