UPND may not achieve 50% + 1 in 2026 – Simutanyi
In a little over a year, the country will head to the polls to elect leaders who will govern the nation for the next five years. But whether the current leaders deserve re-election, despite many of their past promises still unmet, is a question best left to the voters.
Still, Neo Simutanyi, former Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Centre for Policy Dialogue and a seasoned political analyst, argues that UPND is unlikely to secure the 50 per cent plus one threshold in 2026. He argues that UPND’s major mistake is assuming that former president Edgar Lungu was the ruling party’s primary obstacle, and disqualifying him through the courts.
Source: News Diggers
That is a fact, and they will fall out in the rerun if nothing drastically changes between now and election time, the word is drastically.
For a said reputable Policy Analyst there nothing of substance offered in this article to support his assertion. If you are going to make an assertion give credible basis of than a loose and weak basis for making a serious statement
Dr. Neo Simutanyi’s assertion that the UPND may struggle to achieve over 50% in the 2026 General Elections stems from his unfounded opinion. Furthermore, it is inappropriate for Dr. Simutanyi to suggest that the UPND views former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu solely as an obstacle to the upcoming elections; his notion of utilizing the courts to impede Lungu is regrettable. It is also noteworthy that Dr. Simutanyi tends to become vocal only during election periods, presenting unsubstantiated and unscientific opinion polls that lack supporting evidence and rely heavily on rhetoric. His contributions have not significantly advanced authentic political dialogue in Zambia.
Thus is not true, UPND has not lost its strongholds, the strongholds are still intact while gaining support in non tradition strong holds as can be seen by winning the bye elections in those areas and doing well in some despite loosing like in peteuke
This is not true, UPND has not lost its strongholds, the strongholds are still intact while gaining support in non tradition strong holds as can be seen by winning the bye elections in those areas and doing well in some despite loosing like in peteuke
The submission of brother Neo is not true and I feel it’s not his submission.The UPND has achieved most of the promises and even done well on what they didn’t promise.It was not known that within their tenure of office there would be drought but they managed to mitigate and aliviate hunger in seriously affected areas.The youths who are the majority in our country are happy and they have hope.The student needs are almost satisfactorily met.The competitors of UPND are still in dialogue situation.This dialogue has not reached the noise stage to signify near achievement in their bargaining.The TONSE is basically PF while the UKA is lacking some oxygen.The Socialist has not sold themselves enough as they have not excited the voters on what they would do better than UPND.Mr Kalaba has never ever given any tangible promise.The PF have suggested a name of a candidate with questionable qualifications if they are there I don’t know.The UPND getting 50 percent plus one is highly likely.The economic challenges we are experiencing is explainable and that is the task all members of UPND are able to do as they mingle with people in their localities.The President and Ministers will add their voices using radios and Tv as well as political rallies.The hopeful MPs will also do their part.Other members of the public who are interested and are in favour with the UPND will equally do the needful.The opposition is still realigning and we don’t know when this alignment is going to be achieved.You can’t compare a finished or completed project to the one that has not started.The UPND is just set.
Neo Simutanyi is completely out of touch with reality with such issues. Best to retire and watch the space.
This is the same man who was giving fake opinion polls and analyses during Chiluba’s time. I thought he had outgrown that!