UPND member challenges President Hichilema’s nomination ahead of general conference

A dispute may have arisen within the United Party for National Development after party member, Charles Longwe, formally challenged the participation of President Hakainde Hichilema in the party’s April 15 General Conference, alleging that his nomination did not comply with internal electoral procedures.

Longwe filed an appeal before the UPND General Assembly Electoral Commission on April 14, arguing that the incumbent party leader breached the nomination timeline established in the party’s electoral framework.

According to his submission, the guidelines announced on April 1, 2026, limited the filing of presidential nominations to April 8 and only within specific hours.

He claimed that Hichilema’s nomination was instead submitted on April 12, four days after the official deadline.

In his argument, Longwe cited Article 78 of the party constitution, which outlines the eligibility requirements for presidential candidates and uses mandatory language, thereby removing any discretion for late submissions to be accepted.

He further pointed to Article 57, which grants the National Management Committee the authority to set binding electoral rules, and Article 91, which obligates the Electoral Commission to enforce those rules as written.

The appellant also referenced Article 60 of the national Constitution, asserting that political parties were required to uphold democratic principles through transparent and fair election processes.

He warned that proceeding with the General Conference while allowing what he described as an irregular candidacy would undermine the party’s credibility and potentially destabilise its leadership structure.

Longwe argued that electing other party organs before resolving the question of the presidency would disrupt the hierarchy and compromise the effectiveness of the National Management Committee.

He urged the Electoral Commission to nullify Hichilema’s nomination and reopen the process to allow all eligible candidates to file correctly.

He requested a response within 24 hours and stated that he would escalate the matter to the courts should the Commission fail to act.

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