The Tonse Alliance has confirmed it will participate in the Chawama parliamentary by-election, opting to rally behind a single alliance-backed candidate to be floated under the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), which has been selected as its Provisional Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the poll.
The announcement was made following the alliance’s Council of Leaders meeting in Lusaka, which brought together political party presidents, civil society representatives, clergy, and distinguished citizens.
National Coordinator and Head of Secretariat Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba says the council resolved to coordinate and collectively sponsor one strong candidate who will represent the alliance’s broader political objectives and offer what they describe as a credible alternative to the ruling UPND.
Dr. Zimba further explained that while FDD has been chosen as the provisional SPV for the by-election, the alliance will later revisit and formalize a permanent SPV for the 2026 general elections, which will be publicly announced once agreed.
Beyond electoral preparations, the alliance also used the meeting to strongly criticise the UPND government over its insistence on advancing Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7. Dr. Zimba said the Alliance stands with the Oasis Forum, church bodies, academics, civil society, and other stakeholders who have voiced concerns, arguing that pushing the bill disregards the Constitutional Court’s legal position and broad public opposition.
He accused the government of arrogant and undemocratic actions that he said threatened national unity and democratic progress.
The meeting was co-convened and co-chaired by PF Acting President and Tonse Acting Chairman Given Lubinda, and Tonse Alliance Vice Chairman and CDP President Danny Pule.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
