By 
Green Party president, Peter Sinkamba, has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to call fresh general elections, dismissing the ruling United Party for National Development’s (UPND) 14-0 by-election sweep as an empty victory that does not demonstrate popular support.
Sinkamba said the UPND was celebrating victories in an electoral environment where, according to him, opposition candidates had been blocked or forced to withdraw before the elections could take place.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Sinkamba said winning uncontested seats was not a demonstration of political strength but an indication of what he described as democratic decay in Zambia.
He cited findings he attributed to the European Union Election Observation Mission and independent observers following the 2026 elections, including alleged security force and military overreach at polling stations and courts, inflated vote tallies and missing G19 and G20 result forms.
He said the alleged irregularities had compromised the legitimacy of the electoral outcome.
“Put it to a real test: Dissolve Parliament and call a fresh General Election today. Clear the slate, level the playing field, and face a full ballot,” Sinkamba said.
He challenged Hichilema and the UPND to face voters in a fresh general election if they were confident of their popularity, rather than rely on what he described as sham by-elections.
“Until then, celebrating empty victories is not a show of strength—it is a confession of fear,” Sinkamba said.
He further said Mundubile and the Tonse Alliance were prepared for a fresh election, adding that the decision now rested with Hichilema and the ruling party.
Sinkamba also claimed that the European Union and other cooperating partners were willing to finance a fresh election to help restore normalcy in the country.
“Winning uncontested seats in an environment driven by opposition withdrawals and state intimidation doesn’t prove popularity. It proves democratic decay,” Sinkamba said.
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