By JULIUS PHIRI –

THE opposition UNIP in Eastern Province is confident of scooping the Malambo and Petauke Central seats set for June 30.
Provincial chairperson Donald Sakala said UNIP has taken advantage of some differences in other political parties to steer their way to victory in the two by-elections.
He said most of the people have promised to vote for the UNIP candidates in Malambo and Petauke Central.
The party had fielded Ignatius Phiri to contest the Petauke Central seat. Malambo seat was being contested by Jairous Mchenga.
He said other political parties should not write-off the prospects of UNIP bouncing back in Parliament.
He said the former ruling party had prepared adequately for the forthcoming by-elections.
“UNIP has got the best candidates in Petauke Central and Malambo and we shall take the advantage of the ongoing confusion in other parties to scoop the two seats,” he said.
The ruling Patriotic Front was also confident and ready to claim the two seats, through their candidates Dora Siliya for Petauke Central and Jacob Shuma in Malambo Constituency.
Party provincial chairperson Attany Mwamba said the party had a traceable record of having laid the foundation for infrastructure development and was favourite to win the seats.
“We are very much confident of scooping the parliamentary by-elections and nothing will stop us,” he said.
The UPND was similarly confident of scooping the two seats as it had fielded preferred and suitable candidates.
The party had fielded Allan Zulu for the Petauke Central seat and Peter Phiri for Malambo with Florence Mayopa being the only Independent candidate.