134 ViewsAs the country girds for the much anticipated 13 August electoral battle, a number of party sponsored candidates are being given a good run for their money by independent aspirants. Even the old horses such as Jack Mwiimbu, Cornelius Mweetwa are sweating with independent candidates breathing behind their necks. At some point United Party […]

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Nkombo at hospital after attack

As the country girds for the much anticipated 13 August electoral battle, a number of party sponsored candidates are being given a good run for their money by independent aspirants.

Even the old horses such as Jack Mwiimbu, Cornelius Mweetwa are sweating with independent candidates breathing behind their necks.

At some point United Party for National Development (UPND) Monze East Parliamentary Candidate Mwiimbu had to plead independent candidates with links to the his party to consider withdrawing from parliamentary races in the interest of strengthening President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election campaign ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections.

Mwiimbu, who is also former Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, made the appeal after his rival Victor Cheelo withdrew from the Monze East parliamentary race, leaving only an independent candidate in the contest.

Jack Mwiimbu

Cheelo said his decision to withdraw was motivated by the need to focus on the bigger picture of ensuring President Hichilema secures overwhelming support in the forthcoming elections.

“We have agreed to work together and support President Hakainde Hichilema so that he gets massive support in the August polls,” Cheelo said.

And Mwiimbu thanked Cheelo for what he described as a mature and selfless decision aimed at promoting party unity and strengthening the presidential campaign.

“On behalf of the UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema, I wish to thank Mr. Victor Cheelo for taking this decision in the interest of the party and the country,” Mwiimbu said.

He further appealed to other independent candidates who were initially members or aspirants within the UPND to emulate Cheelo by withdrawing and joining efforts to campaign for President Hichilema.

On the other hand, former Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa once called on residents not to vote for independent candidates, saying they pose a danger to the party.

Minister of Information, Cornelius Mweetwa

He all UPND candidates in Southern Province could have gone unopposed if party members contesting as independent candidates truly loved the party and President Hakainde Hichilema.

Speaking during the Kubakali-Abakaintu Traditional Ceremony in Mazabuka the other day, Mweetwa, who is also the Choma Central UPND Parliamentary candidate, said UPND members who are contesting as independent candidates should have shown love for the party and President Hakainde Hichilema by supporting the adopted party candidates.

He expressed sadness over the growing number of UPND members contesting as independents, stating that they should have focused on ensuring President Hakainde Hichilema and UPND candidates win in the 13 August general elections.

Mweetwa added that independent candidates should have given the adopted party members a chance and supported them, noting that there can only be one Member of Parliament at a time.

He warned that independent candidates should not be given a chance because they would divide votes meant for President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mwiimbu faces, Maambo Musute, while Mweetwa will be battling it out with Baker Chakwana. The independent candidates are giving old guards headaches.

Meanwhile, independent legislators in the Zambian parliament have historically performed as a fragmented but vital political force, often acting as the balance of power in tightly contested assemblies.

While they have occasionally held significant leverage—such as the 10 seats won in the 2001 elections, their parliamentary influence has waned due to institutional constraints, ideological fragmentation, and a tendency to align with the ruling party to secure developmental resources for their constituents.

Key trends in the performance of independent Members of Parliament (MPs) in Zambia include: Legislative and Floor-Crossing Patterns: Historically, independent MPs rarely form a cohesive ideological voting bloc.

Driven largely by local, grassroots issues rather than national platforms, they have frequently engaged in “floor-crossing”—defecting to or aligning with the ruling party to ensure government support for their constituencies.

Historical Peaks: The highest representation of independent MPs in the National Assembly occurred following the 2001 elections, where they captured 10 seats.

In subsequent cycles (e.g., 2006, 2011, and 2016), their numbers sharply declined as major political parties like the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) and the Patriotic Front (PF) dominated the legislative landscape, leaving only a handful of independent seats.

Institutional Vulnerability: Zambian election laws and party alignments heavily favor established political structures. For instance, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) enforces regulations barring current members of political parties from standing as independent candidates, which disrupts continuity and limits the organized growth of an independent parliamentary faction.

Oversight and Accountability: Because they are not bound by rigid party whips, independent MPs occasionally play a crucial role in scrutinizing executive decisions and voicing localized grievances within parliamentary committees.

However, their lack of a unified front limits their ability to block unfavorable legislation or drive major constitutional reforms.

Here are the *14 Independent MPs elected in Zambia’s 12 August 2021 election*:

*Independent MPs 2021-2026, by province*

*Central Province – 3 seats*
1. *Emmanuel Banda* – Muchinga
2. *George Kandafula K* – Serenje
3. *Jay E. Banda* – Petauke Central.

*Copperbelt Province – 4 seats*
4. *Binwell Mpundu* – Nkana
5. *Joel Chibuye* – Roan
6. *Jeffrey Mulebwa* – Kafulafuta
7. *Warren C. Mwambazi* – Bwana Mkubwa.

*Eastern Province – 4 seats*
8. *Moses F. Moyo* – Luangeni
9. *Misheck Nyambose* – Chasefu
10. *Munir Zulu* – Lumezi
11. *Menyani Zulu* – Nyimba

*Luapula Province – 2 seats*
12. *Given Katuta* – Chienge
13. *Gystave Chonde* – Milenge

*Note*: ECZ’s official list shows 14 Independents. One more seat was listed as “Not Sure” for Roan in early results, but Joel Chibuye was later confirmed as the Independent MP for Roan.

*For comparison*: UPND won 82 seats, PF won 60 seats in the 156-member elected Assembly.

For Zambia’s *13 August 2026 General Election*, *101 independent parliamentary candidates* filed nominations.

*How many?*
*101 independents* nominated for National Assembly seats.
The Lusaka High Court dismissed a petition to disqualify them 25 days ago, so they remain on the ballot.

*Who are some of the prominent independents?*
The court case named several high-profile respondents:

1. *Dr Chitalu Chilufya* – Former Health Minister, PF presidential candidate
2. *Gary Nkombo* – Sitting UPND MP for Mazabuka Central
3. *Miles Sampa* – PF President at the time of filing
4. *Alexious Mulemba* – Also named in the petition.

*Other constituencies mentioned in the petition*: Kabushi, Katuba, Chingola West, Solwezi East, Kaoma Central, Monze Central, Lukashya, Mazabuka Central, Kapiri Mposhi East and Mwandi.

*Note on the case*: Petitioners argued the 101 candidates filed as independents while still party members, without resigning first, which they said breaches Article 51(a). The court threw it out on technical grounds.

ECZ hasn’t published the full 101-name constituency list publicly yet.