UPND bans independent candidates

By BARNABAS ZULU

THE UPND has decreed that its members with plans to stand as independent candidates after failing to be adopted in the 2026 general election will not be allowed, fearing that the decision would create divisions in the ruling party.
Gilbert Liswaniso, the UPND national youth chairman says the ruling party shall not condone its members aspiring to be adopted at various levels to go as independents because that would amount to indiscipline that would weaken it.Speaking during a live programme on KBN Television yesterday, Mr Liswaniso stressed that the UPND would not tolerate any member seeking to break away from its official adoption process.
“You are not adopted, no independent. That one is serious, we will manage you. The issue here is that you cannot stand as an independent. The issue here is to have UPND outlive us. So, you cannot create another political party.
This message is very strong on the ground. People who do not want to stand as UPND, they should leave UPND. We are telling you, we won’t allow you to do nominations,” Mr Liswaniso said.
He directed constituency chairpersons across the country to ensure that no aspiring candidate defies its position.
“Constituency chairman, wherever you are in the country, no one will go independent. If you want to be a Member of Parliament and they have not adopted you, no one will go independent. You will remain in UPND and campaign for that one who has been adopted,” he said.Mr Liswaniso stressed that the decision was necessary to maintain discipline and unity in the ruling party.“Today, if you ask me, even the opposition will apply the same method. It is time that we put things in order. I am too much on the ground. We won’t allow UPND members of Parliament to stand as independents but want to use party structures.