NDC Backs UPND In Lukashya, Mwansabombwe Polls

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated its intention to back the UPND in the upcoming constituency by-elections in Lukashya and Mwansabombwe scheduled for September 17, 2020.

The by-elections follow the deaths of Mwenya Munkonge and Rodgers Mwewa for Lukashya and Mwansabombwe respectively.

NDC vice-president Josephs Akafumba announced the move at a press briefing in Lusaka this week.

Mr Akafumba said the reason for fielding a single candidate was to harness and promote the principles of the opposition alliance.

In June NDC President Chishimba Kambwili and UPND President Hakainde Hichilema announced an alliance between the two parties ahead of the 2021 elections.

Commenting on the move Zambian historian and analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa stated, “An alliance between the UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema and NDC’s Chishimba Kambwili will guarantee an opposition victory in Zambia’s 2021 election, if Bill 10 collapses. Hichilema may still win on his own, but needs a broader coalition to effectively deal with the possible rigging.”

The two parties have previously combined forces ahead of various by-elections.