Hichilema Declared UPND President And 2026 General Elections Candidate
By A Correspondent | ZimEye | LUSAKA — President Hakainde Hichilema has been officially declared the United Party for National Development (UPND) president and sole candidate for the 2026 general elections following an uncontested internal nomination process.
According to an official declaration issued by the party’s General Assembly and endorsed by the Returning Officer Isaac Mwanza, the nomination process closed on 12 April 2026 with only one valid candidate. The document confirms that no other contender filed nomination papers for the party’s top position.
The certification states that the process was conducted in line with the UPND constitution and electoral guidelines, effectively rendering Hichilema elected unopposed under the party’s rules governing uncontested elections.
A stamped endorsement dated 15 April 2026 formalises the outcome, declaring Hichilema as the duly elected party president and, by extension, the UPND’s candidate for Zambia’s upcoming 2026 general elections.
The uncontested endorsement consolidates Hichilema’s grip on the ruling party, eliminating internal competition ahead of what is expected to be a high-stakes national election. It also signals a unified front within UPND, positioning the incumbent leader to seek another term without internal dissent.
The development now shifts focus to the national political battlefield, where opposition parties are yet to finalise their candidates in what is shaping up to be a decisive electoral contest for Zambia’s future direction.
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