UPND DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON SAYS RETENTION OF CURRENT MPS KEY TO PARTY’S VICTORY.
UPND Deputy Spokesperson Elvis Nkandu says it will be more strategic for the ruling party to retain most of its current Members of Parliament because they have already aligned themselves with President Hakainde Hichilema’s development vision, unlike new entrants who would need time to adjust.
And Mr. Nkandu says the fate of many MPs in the 2026 general elections will largely depend on the strength of their relationship with constituents, rather than just their performance in office.
While acknowledging that the majority of MPs, both from the ruling and opposition, have performed impressively, Mr. Nkandu emphasized that political survival will be determined by how well they have stayed connected with the people they represent.
He tells Phoenix News that the annual increase in the Constituency Development Fund -CDF has enabled MPs to deliver more development projects in their areas, making their work easier and more impactful.
Mr. Nkandu however notes that with a growing number of aspiring candidates eyeing adoption ahead of next year’s polls, even high-performing MPs may struggle to retain their seats if they have neglected the electorate.
PN
Elvis Nkandu is right and luckily many serving MP. s are doing well and there are no fears of UPND losing next year election.
UPND MUST BE VERY CARERFUL WHEN IT COMES TO ADOPTIONS, MOST MP’S HAVE NOT DONE WELL AND ARE INVISIBLE TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES OR THEY HAVE NOT PERFORMED AS EXPECTED, A CASE IN POINT IS BWANA MWEETWA WHO IS SO FAR ON PAPER BEHIND MUCHINDU INTERMS TO POPULARITY IN HIS CONSTITUENCY, THAT IS WHAT IS PERAINING ACROSS THE BOARD AND CARE MUST BE TAKEN DURING ADOPTIONS.PROBLEM IS THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT HAD MP’S WHO HAD TUSAKA TWANDALAMA AND EACH TIME THEY VISITED THEIR CONSTITUENCY PEOPLE CELEBRATED, MOST CURRENT UPND MP’S HAVE AVOIDED BEING ACCOSTED BY THE ELECTORATE BECAUSE OF FEAR OF NOT HAND OUT A LITTLE DURING THEIR VISISTS RESULTING IN THEM AVOIDING THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ALL TOGETHER. HOWEVER, WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING IS TO EDUCATE THEIR CONSTITUENTS ON WHY THEY ARE VOTED WHICH IS TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT AND NOT TO GIVE HANDOUTS.
Not here in Itezhi Texhi
Let UPND. adopt somebody else not Twaambo.