The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that it is appalled by the decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to disqualify the Democratic Party from the Kabwata polls.
NDC president Saboi Imboela in a statement noted that “While other countries are developing economically and politically, Zambia seems to be taking a serious u-turn in a very wrong and dangerous direction, adding that It does not make sense to aspire for economic development while maintaining political savagery and barbarism in running the country.
Ms. Imboela said that the DP disqualification has the UPND written all over it, saying while her party has been consistently advocating for civility in our politics, but it looks like things are getting worse and now even being endorsed by the government through such decisions as disqualifying a very credible opposition party, using a very laughable excuse of two factions.
She said the the question of faction is no longer an NDC or DP issue, but a national issue.
“Let me remind the nation that, while in the opposition, the UPND had several cases where two members of the UPND had presented adoption certificates at ECZ at the same time. This was very rampant in the 2016 elections were members of the same party even carried pangas and machetes to try and stop the other camp from filing in. We saw it in Munali Constituency, Kafue at councilor level, western province and other parts of the country. We also saw that in the 2021 elections,” Ms Imboela stated.
Below is the full statement
DISQUALIFICATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM THE KABWATA POLLS A SIGN OF UPND AUTOCRACY
As National Democratic Congress, NDC, we are appalled by the decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to disqualify the Democratic Party, DP, from the Kabwata polls.
While other countries are developing economically and politically, Zambia seems to be taking a serious u- turn in a very wrong and dangerous direction. It does not make sense to aspire for economic development, while maintaining political savagery and barbarism in running the country. The DP disqualification has the UPND written all over it.
We have consistently been advocating for civility in our politics, but it looks like things are getting worse and now even being endorsed by government through such decisions like disqualifying a very credible opposition party, using a very laughable excuse of two factions. The Question is, what is a faction? Maybe we have to ask and urgently answer that question as a nation. This is no longer an NDC or DP issue, but a national issue.
Let me remind the nation that, while in the opposition, the UPND had several cases where two members of the UPND had presented adoption certificates at ECZ at the same time. This was very rampant in the 2016 elections were members of the same party even carried pangas and machetes to try and stop the other camp from filing in. We saw it in Munali Constituency, Kafue at councilor level, western province and other parts of the country. We also saw that in the 2021 elections.
Not once did the UPND get disqualified for all that confusion and violence at the nomination centres. The party was given a chance to show who the preferred candidates where and in some instances, the camp that had the most violent cadres and weapons carried the day. But ECZ stayed away from making a decision on behalf of the UPND or disqualifying them.
So to see the DP be disqualified now over the confusion that a small group of people made is very unfortunate. Anyone who follows Zambian politics, and just understands governance, knows who the real leaders of the DP are.
This confusion and lack of civility that we see in our politics should not be endorsed by our electoral process and systems. The toxic Zambian politics should not get to the administration or government departments.
By the same token, it is very unfortunate that after all these years of political independence, countries like ours are still classified as Uncivilised States. While the nations/ people are civilised, somehow we have failed to bring the same civility to our states or politics. Sadly, it is such happenings in our politics, that justifies such classifications of our countries as uncivilised states. As angry as this makes us, when we see such happening in our politics are are indeed always reminded that political growth and civility needs to happen for us to even call ourselves a democracy.
We would like the New Dawn government to not only prioritise economic development, but also political development. Three people standing up in the DP and claiming to be the leaders of their party and claiming to expel their president, does not make them the leaders.
It is also very unfortunate that we keep seeing a very strong hand of the UPND in the happenings of the NDC and now DP situation. This is among the grand plans of the UPND to kill off credible opposition parties and and have a one party state.
We, therefore, call upon the international community to take a keen interest in what is happening in Zambia and intervene in the so far dangerous undemocratic tendencies of the UPND.
It is like where we move three steps ahead we are also pushed five steps backwards. Let us not make beds that we cannot lay in, because if we make ‘confusion’ as a basis for disqualification, with the uncivilised and toxic politics that we see in the country, soon many people will sponsor confusion in other parties just to get them disqualified.
Issued by;
Saboi Imboela
President- NDC
Kikikiki, Ni Sangwapo! Kuntu waseka.
ECZ is independent of government interference. Sue them in the Constitutional Court.
Is it the ECZ or the UPND that has caused wrangles in the DP? Why do Zambian politicians find comfort in passing the blame to others? Saboi, your Party is also divided. Failure to reconcile is also a part of failed leadership. It seems this is the kind of Zambia that we have created for ourselves. Since the swearing-in ceremony no day passes without the UPND apportioning blame on almost everything to the PF. Even in 2026 they’ll stand and face the people and say they failed because the PF did this and that. Who will listen to them? Please just accept your failures. It doesn’t make sense to blame others for the problems that you’ve created for yourselves.
Typical of disorganized political parties in Zambia to blame others for their disorganization. What has the decision of the Electoral officers got to do with the UPND surely?
Another political commentator, instead of organizing her dead party or pretending be organizing it, busy issuing unsubstantiated statements
Dead party like PF this NDC, and the cousin DP
Instead of talking about why this candidate was disqualified she is busy talking about invisible hands, opposition need to wake up fast…Saboi is the last person to talk about civility in politics. This is the same individual who said she will welcome BUFFOON CK back to NDC even though he is contesting for PF Presidency.
The birth of the One party state in zambia has begun. We warned you about the angry Hitler hichilema(hh)
#2 Barotse Since when did the ECZ become independent of government. Wasn’t this the accusation labeled against the PF by Upnd and the PF against the MMD? So when you get into government the tune changes?
Deja Vu you are a thinker
Why would UPND stop DP with the zeros it got in the August elections, they are no where near winning the Kabwata by election. No sensible strategist would do such a stupid move. Even stopping PF is useless, Saboi kindly get it into your head, Pf is dead and buried, if you don’t believe me wait for Kabwata.
Kaizer, ukimuchibe, tawakatale ubwelela million Government. Done and dusted. Mwaleti, you were incharge, only you ! Tepapa, mule utaukafye. Bally, aleteka. Anti you embarrassed? All you do is hiding behind Lusaka times, kabili, akulembeni Muma paper yambi.
The problem with you Zambians you are comparing UPND to those chaotic governments of mmd and pf where their aim was to fix opposition parties. Even when you offend on your own you want to blame HH and the UPND simply because the police have visited you for the offense you have committed on your own, just answer and blame your big mouth.
You are the same people who benefited from looted money the pf looted. How can a simple musician whose songs are no longer in existence head a political party sure, where did you find the money to accend to that position.