NKANDU DISMISSES FEARS OVER UPND TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY

United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy Spokesperson Elvis Nkandu has moved to quell growing public and opposition anxiety concerning the prospects of the ruling party attaining a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. Critics and opposition figures have frequently voiced fears that absolute legislative dominance could erode checks and balances, potentially leading to sweeping constitutional changes without adequate consensus. However, speaking in defense of the party's trajectory, Mr. Nkandu insisted that such apprehensions are entirely misplaced and politically motivated. Mr. Nkandu emphasized that the UPND remains fundamentally committed to democratic principles, accountability, and the rule of law. He argued that a larger parliamentary majority would instead streamline the execution of the government’s national development agenda, reducing unnecessary legislative bottlenecks that often stall critical economic reforms. According to the ruling party, any mandate given by the Zambian electorate is viewed as a sacred trust to accelerate poverty reduction, infrastructural growth, and institutional transparency rather than an instrument for autocratic overreach. The debate over parliamentary majorities comes at a sensitive time in Zambia's political landscape, as citizens increasingly scrutinize the balance of power between the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Opposition parties have repeatedly warned that a dominant ruling party could compromise parliamentary oversight, pointing to historical precedents where single-party or overwhelmingly dominant majorities reshaped governance structures to suit incumbent interests. These concerns resonate within various civil society circles, where watchdogs continue to advocate for robust institutional safeguards regardless of which political formation holds sway in Parliament. Despite the skepticism from political rivals, the UPND maintains that its governance record speaks for itself, citing legislat