UPND MANIFESTO LACKS CONTINUITY – TI-Z  

NATION REPORTER

THE UPND manifesto is lacking continuity as compared to the 2021 promises as key aspects such as sustaining fast tracks courts, institutionalising open-door policy, ensuring the declaration of assets, conducting lifestyle audits and enforcing unexplained wealth orders are all missing, Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has said.

According to TI-Z says the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance manifesto has outlined more about the anti-corruption and governance-enhancing promises than the UPND’s and Citizens First (CF) manifestos.

The promises contained in the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance’s manifestos are more specific and cover critical issues such as campaign finance transparency, fast-tracking high value corruption cases, and asset declaration for senior government officials, among others.

In its Second Elections Project Update ahead of the 2026 elections, the TI-Z also said, furthermore, in the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance manifesto, the anti-corruption fight is prioritised, as it is central to their governance policy direction rather than an auxiliary goal.

TI-Z acting Executive Director, Raymond Mutale said the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance manifesto was seen to have outlined more anti-corruption and governance-enhancing promises than the UPND’s and CF after it conducted a content analysis of three political parties, UPND, CF and Tonse Pamodzi Alliance ahead of the 2026 elections.

Mr Mutale said the analysis focused on identifying the major anti-corruption and governance-enhancing promises in the manifestos, assessing their clarity, and evaluating their contribution to the fight against corruption in the country.

He said, generally, the 2026 anti-corruption promises contained in the UPND’s manifesto were less specific than the 2021 manifesto promises.

He said, furthermore, the anti-corruption fight was no longer a central focus or priority, as good governance and anti-corruption were now presented as conceptually as a pathway to creating a conducive business environment.

“The manifesto lacks continuity as compared to the 2021 promises, as key aspects such as sustaining fast tracks courts, institutionalising the open-door policy, ensuring the declaration of assets and wealth, conducting lifestyle audits and enforcing unexplained wealth orders are all missing,” Mr Mutale said.