The Crucial Need for Opposition Strategy in Zambia’s 2026 Elections
By Dr Mwelwa
Oh wretched people that we are, who shall deliver us from the hands of the UPND? This distressed cry reverberates across our land, from the bustling cities to the quiet villages. As we approach the 2026 general elections, it’s increasingly clear that we are caught in a web of political manipulation and missed opportunities.
Amid this storm of uncertainty, the recent proposal by Mwangala Zaloumis, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), threatens to further complicate our electoral process. By suggesting a four-day delay in announcing presidential election results, she has opened a Pandora’s box of potential crises. While the ECZ claims this change is necessary, it could lead to unrest, mistrust, and even fraud.
However, amid these reforms and the ruling party’s maneuverings, the opposition remains oddly passive. The truth is, the opposition often cries foul over election losses, blaming the system, but fails to take necessary steps to secure a victory. They are negligent in planning and organizing, unable to counter the strength and strategy of the incumbents.
From the outset, President Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND government have been meticulously plotting to extend their hold on power. They’ve placed allies in critical positions, from the judiciary to the ECZ, and even strategically positioned head teachers who can influence electoral outcomes by serving as returning officers. This comprehensive strategy highlights the ruling party’s grasp on long-term planning and execution.
In stark contrast, the opposition seems to wander aimlessly. They rely too much on chance and voter sentiment, hoping for a miraculous “wind of change” to blow in their favor. This is not only naive but dangerously ineffective. They fail to recognize that modern elections require robust strategies, careful planning, and dynamic leadership.
While the UPND government is busy managing voter sentiment, addressing key issues like exchange rates and food prices to secure support, the opposition remains disorganized. They lack a consistent message and fail to present a clear and compelling alternative to the current government. They are, in essence, a protest movement without a solid plan or vision for the future.
The ruling party’s tactics extend to manipulating the legal system to their advantage, potentially sidelining opposition leaders through corruption charges. Yet, the opposition continues to act as though electoral victories can be won solely on the merit of being different from the ruling party. They underestimate the power of incumbency and the meticulous planning that the UPND has employed to stay ahead.
As a result, the Zambian people find themselves asking: “Oh wretched people that we are, who shall deliver us from the hands of UPND?” The opposition must shake off its complacency and step up with a strategic, organized effort. They must build a strong foundation that can withstand the ruling party’s strategies and truly challenge their hold on power.
The ECZ’s proposal to delay announcing election results should not be the scapegoat for the opposition’s failures. It’s crucial for the opposition to focus on ensuring transparency and efficiency in the electoral process while addressing their own shortcomings. Only by doing so can they restore public trust and offer a genuine alternative to the Zambian people.
As we edge closer to the 2026 elections, Zambia stands at a crucial juncture. The opposition must awaken to the reality that winning an election requires more than just good intentions and hope. It demands strategic planning, strong leadership, and a clear, compelling vision for the future.
If the opposition can rise to this challenge, they might just answer the desperate cry of our people: “Oh wretched people that we are, who shall deliver us from the hands of UPND?” Only then can we hope to save our democracy and build a future that honors the spirit of Zambia.
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Your value as opposition depends on the ideas that you have that will sort out people’s challenges. Demonising UPND is not a saleable idea. UPND and HH have expanded the civil service and security wings, thereby securing the financial future of thousands of Zambians and their families. You would be facken stupid to ignore this major demographic landmark where PF failed miserably. Democracy is competition of ideas. I do not see any ideas in your mindless write up, only bitterness and gnashing of teeth. Get a life nigga.
upnd has failed to fix economy
the level of njala hunger in upnd is very ,upnd made a mistake of selling maize to tanzana and now they are buying the same maize at very high price and this has caused mealie meal to be very expensive ,poor planining of chimbwi no plan
UKWA can say anything they want against the UPND, but as long as they do not sale their idea of how they intend to drive the economy people will just look at them as a bickering group of men and women. What exuberates everything is their delay in choosing the final boss. Zambia as a country is vast and whichever leader will be picked will have likes and dislikes, but the earlier that is done the better so that dislikes are mitigated, they may end up picking someone who will be grossly rejected and that may require changing that final boss in the last minute, which will add to the confusion on the ground. So, advice is that choose now and start mitigating the downside or it will be too late. To UPND, the idea of saying there is no opposition and thinking things will be plain is wrong because your opposition is not these political parties but the people, listen to the people’s complaints and don’t mock them with your answers because when people get annoyed they can even vote for a frog just to show dislike for you, this happened under UNIP, hence in this era they can even vote for anything that comes as opposition just to send a massage to you that you did not listen, so do not take the fact that there is no opposition for granted, the opposition is the people. and if you take the people for granted you will end up being shocked. to SP, keep on the trajectory because currently among the opposition you seen to be the only one that is organized, keep it up and work on your structures but criticize constructively with suggested solutions. as a country we need a strong opposition to provide good checks.