ASKING FOR DONATIONS FEW DAYS BEFORE GENERAL ELECTIONS IS LACK OF SERIOUSNESS – UPND

LUSAKA – The United Party for National Development (UPND) has sharply criticised the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) over its eleventh-hour appeal for public donations to fund its general election campaigns. Likando Mufalali, the UPND's Elections and Campaign Chairperson, asserted that such a move, coming just days before the polls, demonstrates a profound lack of seriousness and casts doubt on the NRPUP's preparedness to lead the nation. Mr. Mufalali emphasised that robust campaign financing strategies are fundamental to any serious political contender and should be meticulously planned long before the commencement of election campaigns. This latest pronouncement from the ruling party highlights the ongoing debate surrounding political party financing in Zambia, a topic that frequently surfaces during election cycles. Zambia's electoral laws have historically lacked comprehensive provisions to regulate the sources and expenditure of campaign funds, leading to an opaque system susceptible to various influences. While the 2016 amended constitution introduced provisions for state funding, declaration of funding, and campaign spending caps, these have largely remained unenforced due to the absence of an enacted Political Parties Bill. This regulatory vacuum means political parties can obtain funding from virtually any source without submitting audited financial reports, raising concerns about accountability and potential corruption. The UPND itself has previously engaged in public fundraising, notably relaunching its '14 by 10' campaign in the run-up to the 2021 general elections, encouraging citizens to donate K10 daily for two weeks to support logistics. This approach was presented as a contrast to the then-ruling Patriotic Front (PF), which faced scrutiny over large, anonymous donations and alleged abuse of state resources for campaigns. However, the current criticism by Mr. Mufalali, who was appointed UPND Chairperson for Elections