UPND clinches Nakonde as NRPUP grabs Mwenzo constituency seat

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the Nakonde Parliamentary seat while under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has won the newly created Mwenzo Constituency in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province. Nakonde Constituency…

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the Nakonde Parliamentary seat while under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has won the newly created Mwenzo Constituency in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province.

Nakonde Constituency Returning Officer Mulekwa Matebele declared UPND’s Simon Simwanza duly elected after he polled 8,270 votes.

Announcing the results, Mr Matebele said Michael Kanyanya  of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) came second with 7,128 votes, while Yizukanji Siwanzi of Citizens First (CF) obtained 391 votes.

Mr Mulekwa said 16,156 votes were cast, with 367 ballots rejected.

“I Matebele Mulekwa being the returning officer for Nakonde Constituency in Nakonde District do hereby declare that I have in accordance with the law counted the votes of the poll in the said constituency and that they have been given to: Siwanzi Yizukanji – Citizens First (CF) 391 Kanyanya Michael – National Reconciliation for Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) 7,128. Simwanza Simon United Party for National Development (UPND) 8270,” Mr Matebele announced.

“I further declare that a total of 367 ballot papers have been rejected as invalid and a total of 16156 were cast. Therefore, I declare that the said Simwanza Simon to be the duly elected Member of Parliament for Nakonde Constituency voted this day 15 August 2026,” he announced.

Speaking after being declared winner, MP-elect for Nakonde Constituency Simon Simwanza  thanked God and President Hakainde Hichilema for the support given to him.

Mr Simwanza said the people of Nakonde have demonstrated maturity in choosing leaders, and pledged to address key challenges affecting the district.

He cited poor road infrastructure, inadequate clean water and sanitation as some of the major concerns.

He said areas along Kanyala Road recorded high voter turnout due to the poor state of the road, which links Nakonde to Malawi and is critical for trade.

“We will not disappoint the people of Nakonde. We will work beyond our limitations to ensure that the challenges raised are addressed,” he said.

Mr Simwanza served as Old Fife Ward Councillor from 2016 to 2021.

He previously contested the Nakonde Parliamentary seat in 2021 on the UPND ticket but lost to Luka Simumba of the then ruling Patriotic Front, who served as MP from 2021 to 2026.

Meanwhile, in Mwenzo Constituency, Mr Simumba made a comeback to Parliament after he was declared winner by Returning Officer Hastings Kaira.

Mr Kaira said Simumba polled 9,002 votes defeating UPND’s Nathan Siame who got 4,075 votes.

Mwenzo Constituency is a newly created constituency curved out of Nakonde Constituency following the delimitation exercise.

The verification and totaling of results at both centres was conducted in the presence of stakeholders, party agents and observers.

Voting in both Nakonde and Mwenzo constituencies closed at 18:00 hours on Thursday 13 August 2026 and counting of ballots commenced at polling stations before results were conveyed to the totaling centers.

The Nakonde Council Chamber served as the totaling centre for Nakonde Constituency, while Mwenzo Girls Secondary School was the totaling centre for Mwenzo Constituency.