IS UPND HEADING TOWARDS PF’S MISTAKE OF IMPOSING CANDIDATES?
Editorial Comment by Zambia Barotseland Border post,
Senior Chief editor,
The ongoing adoption process within the ruling (UPND) has raised serious questions among party members and ordinary citizens alike. What began as so-called “primary elections” at grassroots level has now gone through several confusing changes — from ward structure voting, to interviews, and now to people dialing *2026# using Airtel, MTN, and Zamtel lines.
The biggest concern among many supporters is simple: why does the process keep changing whenever certain incumbent leaders appear unpopular on the ground?
The people of Zambia still remember what happened in 2021. The former (PF) paid a heavy political price for imposing candidates who lacked support from the grassroots. Many voters rejected PF candidates not necessarily because of party ideology alone, but because people were tired of leaders imposed on them without consultation.
Today, there is growing fear that UPND may be walking on the same dangerous path.
Reports from various constituencies, especially in Western Province, suggest that 90% of the current Councillors, Mayors, and Members of Parliament have lost touch with the people who voted for them. Citizens complain that some leaders have underperformed and failed to meet expectations. Assessments conducted in several districts reportedly show that many incumbents no longer enjoy strong grassroots support.
Yet instead of respecting the will of the people, the adoption process appears to be shifting repeatedly in a manner many believe is designed to protect certain candidates from losing.
Political analysts have already warned the ruling party against handpicking candidates. The political environment in 2026 is very different from previous elections. Voters are becoming more independent-minded and issue-based. This time around, people are not interested in voting for a “suit” simply because someone carries the UPND symbol. They are looking for leaders who are accessible, hardworking, and trusted by the communities they seek to represent.
Many voters are now willing to support independent candidates if political parties ignore the wishes of the grassroots. This should serve as a serious warning to the UPND leadership.
The truth is that popularity cannot be manufactured through interviews or mobile phone codes. The party leadership already knows which candidates have genuine support from the people. Attempting to impose unpopular candidates may only weaken the party ahead of the August 12 elections.
If UPND truly wants to maintain public confidence and avoid the mistakes that cost PF in 2021, the solution is simple: allow the voices of the grassroots to prevail. Democracy within a political party must begin with respecting the choices of ordinary members.
Ignoring the people today may result in painful political consequences tomorrow.
© Zambia Barotseland Border Post/ 2026
Nations that have high indexes of development, consider and value consistency, sustainability and preservative of certain aspects and certain persons in the maintaining strong and efficient government bodies.
In such progressive nations, some MPs, Representatives are as old as 101 years. Eg
1. I UK, Sir Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough constituency, is 85 years old and . Lord Christopher, a member of the house of the Lords, is 101 years old.
3. In Russia nearly 30% of members of Parliament are over 65 years old and the current oldest serving MP is Vladmir Resin, 85 year old now
4. In Japan, nearly 50% of the members of Parliament are above 60 years old, and the current oldest Taro Aso, 85 followed by Massaki Yamazaki, 83 years old.
5. In USA, nearly 30% of representatives and the oldest is Hal Rodgers , 88 years old now.
And many MPs in these nations have served for over 25 years.and citizens do complain.
The question is, why do political parties/governments in these maintain certain personalities regardless of age? Consistency and defending the consistency maintaining holistic national progress is the answer.
In this regard UPND, like it is in other great nations, we need to develop the culture of maintaining certain personalities to continue serving as corner stones of our parties, cabinets and any national policy making bodies. It’s a common sense that a president surrounded by seasoned ministers who are rooted in the values, principles and manifesto of the ruling party find it easy to execute his duties.
Equally, our president, HH, needs people like jack Mwiimbu, Mutale Nalumango, Cornelius Mwetwa, Matambo, Obvious Mwaliteta, Musokotwane, Gary Nkombo, Gilbert Liswaniso etc regardless of their sges.Such people have to continue working with the president because overchanging and experimentation of leaders disturbs the pattern of working and interpretation of the manifesto. For example, recently, the new minister of health came up with a statement similar to, Ubomba mwibala.. contrary to what the Old staunch patriotic UPND members preach about corruption.
Traditionally, I never expected any Royal highness to suggest that the old MPs be discarded. Probably such chiefs are still young. Let’s forgive them.
The two chiefs don’t realize that
1. their involvement and advocacy to discard people like Jack Mwimbu, Cornelius Mwetwa, and Garry Nkombo may raise suspicions of corruption/ bribery
2. Retention of the key persons has more advantages than disadvantages in the progress of the national agenda
3. They may be accused of just being in need of supporting only people related to their Royal Families
4. In constituencies where there are two or more chiefs, the perceived Royal nepotism may escalate conflicts between chiefdoms (within the same constituencies.)
The greatest mistake ,our party UPND,
Can not do and make, is to abandon, the true ,genuine & long standing,loyal Leaders and members of the party
Those ,who withstood the pain & bore the brunt of brutality,,by PF,,,especially our people in western province, least, you forget what you went, through,,those who stood and risked their lives & everything, for supporting the Party .,,
There’s no any other place or province in zambia,,where the abnorent atrocities comited by PF,, more visible,and noticeble, than western province,
Today, UPND, in power, has become like a honeycomb, attracting even those who never wanted to be associated with it
Our, party should be more ,alert, than before, in scrutinising ,the character & genuine motivation of all those ,applying to be adopted as our Candidates,
We should not ,entertain ,those who re corruptly buying their adoption ,by bribery of our lower organs officials ,
And later ,claim a fake popularity, No