By 
The Tonse Alliance has declared that it will reject any proposed Constitutional amendments before the 2026 general elections, including those related to constituency delimitation or non-contentious clauses.
Speaking at a media briefing at Crest Lodge in Lusaka’s Ibex area on Thursday, Tonse Alliance Spokesperson, Sean Tembo, accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of attempting to amend the Constitution as a means to secure its grip on power.
“From the onset, let me state that we will not accept any Constitutional amendment before the 2026 general elections. Even the so-called delimitation will not be accepted unless after 2026,” Tembo said.
He argued that the UPND government had lost public support and was now seeking alternative ways to remain in power.
Tembo also raised concerns about discrepancies in Zambia’s population and voter registration data, describing them as a critical issue requiring urgent government attention.
He criticized Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, for dismissing these concerns as a “non-issue,” stressing that inaccurate data could undermine governance, resource allocation, and national stability.
“Accurate data is essential for informed decision-making, policy development, and resource allocation. Inaccurate or manipulated data can lead to ineffective governance, misallocation of resources, and erosion of trust in institutions,” he stated.
Tembo further questioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) independence, arguing that the Commission had shown partisan bias in recent by-elections.
He also alleged that ECZ Chairperson McDonald Chipenzi, who previously sought to contest on a UPND ticket in Chirundu but was unsuccessful, was now sitting on the Commission’s board, raising concerns about his impartiality in overseeing elections.
“For instance, Commissioner McDonald Chipenzi, who applied to stand on the UPND ticket in Chirundu Constituency and was declined, is now sitting on the ECZ Board of Commissioners. This raises questions about his independence and whether he is still a supporter of the ruling party,” Tembo said.
He also accused ECZ officials of engaging in activities that amounted to campaigning for the ruling party, citing “youth sensitization” workshops in areas like Kawambwa, Pambashe, and Petauke, where the message allegedly favored the UPND.
Tembo claimed to have video evidence of ECZ Commissioners attending a church service at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Kawambwa, where they allegedly encouraged parishioners to vote for candidates who would “work with the government” to bring development.
“The Commission is supposed to be an independent body, but its recent actions raise serious concerns about its neutrality. As it stands, the ECZ is not fit to conduct the 2026 general elections,” he stated.
Tembo called for greater transparency within ECZ, demanding that Chipenzi and other Commissioners with potential conflicts of interest clarify their independence to restore public trust in the electoral process.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments