UPND’s Adrian Banda wins Mandevu unopposed as all three rivals pull out
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Top StoriesBanda set to take Mandevu unopposed as three rivals pull out UPND candidate Adrian Banda is set to become the sole contender in the Mandevu Constituency parliamentary by-election after all three of his rivals withdrew from the race ahead of the November 5 poll. Forum for…
Banda set to take Mandevu unopposed as three rivals pull out
UPND candidate Adrian Banda is set to become the sole contender in the Mandevu Constituency parliamentary by-election after all three of his rivals withdrew from the race ahead of the November 5 poll.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate Daniel Chisenga, independent candidate Daniel Daka and Leadership Movement candidate Ntazana Muntungwa each formally notified the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of their withdrawal in separate letters dated October 28, 2026.
Mr Chisenga, a former Lusaka Mayor who was contesting as the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance candidate under the FDD, the alliance’s special purpose vehicle, gave no reasons for his decision. Mr Daka simply asked the commission to exclude him from the election, while Mr Muntungwa cited financial constraints.
Their exit leaves Mr Banda as the only candidate among the four previously approved contenders, although his election unopposed will depend on the applicable electoral procedures and formal confirmation by the ECZ.
The development marks a dramatic turn in a contest that has been troubled from the start. Mandevu voted with the rest of the country on August 13, but no Member of Parliament was ever declared. On 18 August, unknown individuals stormed the Mandevu totalling centre, attacked staff, destroyed result transmission kits and fled with election documents, and ballot papers were later found dumped in drainages and burnt, leaving the returning officer unable to declare a result.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the decision to hold a fresh poll followed an official report dated August 18 from the Lusaka District Electoral Officer. The move drew criticism from the Zambian Civil Liberties Union, which argued that the ECZ had no legal basis to conduct a fresh parliamentary election in the constituency and questioned what vacancy had triggered a by-election when a targeted remedy at the affected polling stations might have sufficed.
The commission went on to set November 5 for the Mandevu poll, alongside by-elections for the Mbala mayoral seat, the Lumezi parliamentary seat and eleven wards across five provinces. Nominations were held on October 8, with campaigns running from October 10 until 18:00 hours on November 4.
Mr Banda’s own route to the seat has been a notable turnaround. He contested the August 13 election as an independent and was among the leading contenders, alongside UPND candidate Christopher Shakafuswa and Jean Kapata, before the ruling party adopted him as its by-election candidate.
The opposition picture also shifted along the way. The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance had initially announced Ms Kapata, a former MP for the constituency under the Patriotic Front, as its Mandevu candidate, but Mr Chisenga ultimately carried the alliance’s ticket under the FDD.
News of the withdrawals quickly sparked accusations. A statement circulating on social media from opposition supporters accused the ruling party of corruption, likening the episode to what happened with the Lusaka Mayor’s seat, and turned on the candidates themselves for what it called disloyalty and the acceptance of open and public bribes. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Socialist Party President Fred M’membe described the withdrawals as a tragedy for democracy, insisting they were no accident and blaming what he called a hostile and heavily skewed political environment created by the UPND. He said a win secured by clearing the ballot of alternatives was no victory at all, arguing that it denied more than 100,000 registered voters in Mandevu their constitutional right to choose their representative.
Dr M’membe noted that the Tonse Alliance leadership had earlier raised concerns over security threats facing its candidate. He accused the ruling party of pursuing a rubber-stamp parliament and a two-thirds majority, and urged the ECZ to handle the matter with transparency and to protect voter choice.
On social media, many questioned how a victory without a contest could be celebrated. “How can there be a victory without a fight?” asked Malama Charles, while Lawrence Mwale pointed to the timing: “On the same day, three candidates withdrawing? Chalo ichi.”
Several users warned of a slide towards one-party rule. “One party state loading,” wrote Chikondi Jonathan, as Cephas Nkole said he was worried about Parliament. Max Chulu drew on history, writing that Zambians had “watched this movie before,” and warning that it ended badly, even for those who had been clapping.
Mukombo Owen said the real question was why candidates were withdrawing. “Is it because they want to support UPND or is it they are afraid of something? Truth be told, this is not good for our democracy,” he wrote. Benson Kansumba claimed candidates feared attacks from party cadres, reminding the ruling party that power is temporary, while several readers asked what had become of Ms Kapata’s candidacy.
Not everyone was critical. UPND supporters welcomed the outcome, with Victor Siamate writing, “If you can’t beat them, join them,” and Kelvin Hantete urging the party forward.
Others raised practical concerns about what now happens to the November 5 poll, and to the money set aside for polling staff, with only one candidate left standing.
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