MMD calls for opposition unity ahead of polls

MMD calls for opposition unity ahead of polls

By Thandizo Banda

THE Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) has challenged political parties and other interest groups to put aside their differences and work towards a more equitable and just society.

In a statement issued yesterday, MMD acting national secretary Lumba Kalumba called for unity among politicians, church leaders, activists and the general public to tackle societal ills and build a fair nation.

“Individual political actors are incentivised to pursue independent paths, yet collective electoral success requires cooperation. Whether the opposition resolves this tension will determine the competitiveness of the 2026 election,” she said.

Kalumba said four months ahead of elections were critical for the opposition and national unity.

“The coming months will therefore be defined less by campaign rhetoric and more by strategic positioning, alliance negotiations and the search for a credible focal point capable of unifying opposition energy,” Kalumba said.

She said it was evident that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) was gripped by fear of the opposition.

Kalumba said a government confident of its mandate would have no reason to expend effort destabilising political alliances and manipulating public institutions to hinder free participation in the electoral process.

“What the nation has witnessed in 2026 is unprecedented, systematic interference and harassment targeting parties and organisations that simply seek the freedom to participate and compete fairly,” Kalumba said.

She said the pattern of intimidation of the opposition by the ruling elite showed a high degree of insecurity of losing power.

“We have further observed that the ruling party’s alliance partners have been weakened to the point of political obscurity. Their visibility depends largely on their titular heads, while their grassroots operations remain fragile and ineffectual. Democracy cannot thrive under such conditions of control and suppression,” Kalumba said.

She said the MMD was concerned about the prevailing undemocratic developments, which threatened the country’s governance.

“We have long warned against the creeping erosion of democratic freedom and the misuse of public institutions, including the Office of the Registrar of Societies, to frustrate opposition parties and delay administrative processes,” she said.

Kalumba described practices that undermined the constitutional rights of citizens and violate the principles of free association and expression as dictatorial and undemocratic.

“This degree of interference is not only unfair but represents a disgraceful departure from democratic norms. It is a manifestation of mingalato, a form of political manipulation that is unprofessional, unjust and utterly unacceptable,” she said.

Kalumba warned that history would not be kind to division among those who believed in justice, fairness and democratic renewal.

“It is only through solidarity, accountability and principled leadership that we safeguard the integrity of our electoral process and secure a future rooted in equality and respect,” said Kalumba.