UPND is organised, double adoptions happened because officials were overwhelmed – Mufalali

LUSAKA – The United Party for National Development (UPND) has moved to clarify recent concerns surrounding 'double adoptions' for local government by-elections, with National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso stating that such occurrences were a result of an overwhelming workload rather than disorganisation. This explanation comes amidst public scrutiny over the party's internal processes, particularly as it prepares for various by-elections across the country. Mr. Liswaniso, a prominent figure within the ruling party's youth wing, emphasised that the UPND remains a highly structured and disciplined political entity. He acknowledged that isolated incidents where more than one candidate was seemingly adopted for a single ward or constituency had indeed occurred. However, he firmly attributed these anomalies to the immense pressure and high volume of applications and vetting processes that party officials had to manage within tight deadlines. “Our party is very organised, and we follow due process in all our candidate selections,” Liswaniso stated in an interview. “What happened in a few instances of what people are calling ‘double adoptions’ was simply a case of our hardworking officials being overwhelmed by the sheer number of aspirants and the administrative tasks involved. It was an operational challenge, not a breakdown in our internal democracy or structure.” This clarification is crucial for the UPND as it navigates the political landscape, aiming to consolidate its position and demonstrate effective governance. The party, which came into power on a platform of good governance and efficiency, understands the importance of maintaining public trust, especially concerning its internal mechanisms. Such incidents, if left unaddressed, could fuel narratives of internal strife or lack of control, potentially undermining public confidence. Political analysts suggest that while such explanations are common in large political organisations, the UPND must ensure rob