There shall be no fresh elections – Nkandu

…says Zambia is not experiencing any form of political upheaval for the country to call for fresh elections By MUBITA KATETE ZAMBIA is not experiencing widespread tension as is being suggested by some people and that political leaders should just focus on the prevailing national peace, unity and development, Elvis Nkandu has said.But Peter Sinkamba, who is calling for fresh elections has challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to publish the official results from the August general election, stating that there is a real concern that the polls could have been rigged.Mr Nkandu, the Information and Media Minister has dismissed Green Party president Peter Sinkamba’s demand for fresh general elections, stating that the country is not under siege for anyone to call for fresh elections.Mr Sinkamba has demanded that Government call for fresh general elections, arguing that the polls should be free, fair and credible to address what he described as tension gripping the country following the acrimonious August 13 general elections.But Mr Nkandu said the country had moved beyond the elections and that continued calls for fresh polls risked creating unnecessary political divisions in a country that was at peace.“Which tension is he talking about? There is no tension around the country. The tension is just in these days,” Mr Nkandu said.He described calls for fresh elections as unrealistic, adding that political leaders should accept the outcome of the electoral process and concentrate on issues affecting ordinary Zambians.“Dreaming is free. Let them continue dreaming that maybe tomorrow, the other day or the year after, they are going back to elections. But it is not all dreams that come true,” he said.Mr Nkandu said the country needed healing, unity and collective efforts towards development rather than continued arguments about elections.“We have passed the elections. This is the time that all of us should unite and develop this country. We only have one Zambia,” he said.He said young people were looking for employment opportunities, while vulnerable citizens needed social protection and other forms of Government support.Mr Nkandu urged Mr Sinkamba and other opposition political leaders to engage Government in dialogue and identify issues that could bring the country together.Mr Sinkamba, the president of the Green Party yesterday challenged the ECZ to officially publish the results of the August 13, 2026 general election, stating that this should be done in line with established practice.Mr Sinkamba said the continued absence of an official publication of the election results was contributing to questions surrounding the legitimacy of the outcome and therefore the legitmacy of President Hakainde Hichilema, who was declared winner by the ECZ.“The Electoral Commission of Zambia has still not released the result of the election. Up to now, they have not released it officially,” Mr Sinkamba said in an interview yesterday.“The issue of legitimacy should not be ignored where there were concerns both within Zambia and among neighbouring countries about the conduct of the election. South Africa, which is Zambia’s biggest trading partner in the region, has up to now not congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his victory. So, instead of calling neighbours names for questioning the legitimacy of the 2026 generals, simply hold free and fair elections,” Mr Sinkmba said.

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