UPND WARNS INDEPENDENT HOPEFULS
… members who plan to contest or back independents have automatically expelled themselves-Simuuwe
…independent candidates will make country ungovernable -Simuuwe
By George Zulu
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has reaffirmed its policy that any member who decides to contest as an independent or support a candidate other than the party’s official choice automatically expels themselves from the ruling party.
UPND media director Mark Simuuwe said the policy, which dates back to before the 2021 general elections, was approved by the National Management Committee (NMC), which is the party’s policy-making body, and remains unchanged.
“It is party policy that whoever decides to contest as an independent or support another candidate rather than the party’s choice has expelled themselves,” Simuuwe said.
He was commenting on remarks by UPND national youth chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso, who on Sunday assured President Hakainde Hichilema that no party official would be allowed to contest as independent candidates in next year’s elections if not adopted.
Liswaniso also directed UPND youths, women, and the general membership to “keep an eye” on members who may wish to run as independents after being left out of adoptions.
Simuuwe clarified that Liswaniso’s statement was not a personal declaration but a restatement of the official UPND position.
“What Mr Liswaniso said is not his own position but that of the party and the President. It was made before the 2021 elections through the NMC, which is a policy-making body,” he said.
He said allowing members to contest as independents would weaken the party and create challenges for governance.
“When you are running a government and have independent members of parliament, it becomes a bargaining process every time there is a motion. That makes the country ungovernable,” Simuuwe said.
He said the majority rule was a cornerstone of democracy and necessary for stability.
“You cannot have a president who is a minority in parliament, it becomes a problem. Having a parliamentary majority makes it easier to pass laws and implement government policies,” he said.
Simuuwe further argued that the Patriotic Front (PF) partly lost power in 2021 because it allowed its members to contest as independents, splitting its vote and weakening its parliamentary strength.
He said the 2016 Constitution promotes majority rule by requiring presidential candidates to secure 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast.
“For one to be elected President of Zambia, you need 50 percent plus one. That promotes majority rule, and that’s where we are headed,” he said.
Simuuwe warned that party members who defy UPND adoption rules or back independent candidates would face consequences.
“Part of the rules of adoption is that members must be in regular standing with the party. That means respecting the rules of the game. One of those rules is that we do not support breakaways,” he said.
Simuuwe said even office holders who support independent candidates would be expected to relinquish their positions.
“That was the policy in 2020, and it has never changed,” he said.
