WHY SOME ZAMBIANS DID NOT VOTE FOR NRPUP
By Mike Banda
Now that Zambia has made its decision and the elections are clearly going in the direction of the UPND, I believe it is important for the NRPUP and its supporters to reflect honestly on why some Zambians, including myself, did not vote for the party.
Here are some of the reasons:
1. PROMISES THAT APPEARED UNATTAINABLE
The party made promises that, to some voters, appeared unrealistic or difficult to implement within the available resources and economic circumstances.
2. THE TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN
The constant and, at times, harsh criticism of President Hakainde Hichilema made some of us feel that the campaign was becoming disrespectful rather than constructive. It created an impression of arrogance and pomposity among some of the party’s leading voices.
3. DEROGATORY LANGUAGE
The conduct and language used by some individuals associated with the campaign, including JJ Banda, influenced how some voters perceived the party. The use of derogatory language against the President raised questions about the kind of leadership and political culture the party would bring to government.
4. NOT ENOUGH FOCUS ON HOW PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED
For some voters, the campaign concentrated heavily on attacking the government without sufficiently explaining, in practical terms, how the major economic and social challenges facing Zambia would be addressed. Issues such as foreign reserves, debt, fiscal limitations and the country’s overall economic position also needed serious consideration.
5. A PARTY FORMED TOO CLOSE TO THE ELECTION
The party was formed only about two months before the election, leaving very little time to establish strong structures and demonstrate internal democratic processes. There was also no opportunity for a substantive internal AGM to select and legitimise its leadership in the eyes of many voters.
6. THE USE OF AN AI-GENERATED CAMPAIGN SONG
The use of an AI-generated song as the main campaign song did not resonate with everyone. For some people, it contributed to the perception that the campaign lacked sufficient authenticity and a strong grassroots identity.
7. THE PERCEPTION OF USING THE LEGACY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU
Some voters felt that the party was attempting to capitalise heavily on the legacy and popularity of the late President Edgar Lungu to gain political advantage and enter State House. For those voters, this approach was not convincing enough to earn their support.
These are just some of the reasons why some Zambians made a different choice.
NOW THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, ACCEPT THE VERDICT AND MOVE FORWARD.
Politics is about winning and losing, but it is also about respecting the decision of the people. If NRPUP is genuinely interested in serving Zambians, defeat should not be the end of the journey. There is still an opportunity to organise, build credible structures, develop realistic policies and offer constructive checks and balances.
The PF demonstrated how an opposition party can remain relevant by providing checks and balances before the 2026 elections. NRPUP can equally use this period to build itself, strengthen its leadership and prepare for future elections.
Accept the people’s verdict, learn from the experience, reorganise and move forward. Zambia needs a strong oppositionābut it must also be a credible, respectful and constructive opposition.