HH pushes 5 million vote target as campaigns widen

President Hakainde Hichilema has set a five million vote target for the August general elections, directing members of the United Party for National Development to expand mobilisation beyond traditional structures and intensify recruitment across the country.

Addressing party members in Kasama, the President urged supporters to bring in new voters, including those who did not participate in the 2021 elections and individuals previously aligned to other political parties. He said the party must remain open to all Zambians and avoid excluding potential supporters as the election approaches.

The call comes at a time when political activity is intensifying across parties, with nomination processes drawing closer and institutions preparing for increased contestation. Hichilema said the outcome of the election would depend not only on party leadership but on the ability of ordinary members to reach people in homes, markets and communities.

He told supporters that mobilisation should extend into everyday social networks, stressing that political engagement should not be limited to formal campaign structures. The President said each member must take responsibility for expanding the party’s support base, describing the election as one that would be decided through sustained grassroots effort.

The strategy reflects a deliberate shift toward decentralised campaigning, where influence is built at community level rather than through centralised messaging alone. The approach places emphasis on converting undecided voters and re-engaging those who did not participate in previous elections.

The push for numbers comes against a backdrop of shifting political alignments. In separate coverage, Nyimba Member of Parliament Menyani Zulu and former legislator Olipa Phiri have joined the ruling party, citing development projects and the need to sustain progress in their constituencies. Their decisions have been framed as evidence of changing political momentum ahead of the polls.

While the ruling party is focusing on expansion, opposition voices are raising concerns about fragmentation. Patriotic Front faction member Given Lubinda has argued that divided opposition groups risk weakening their influence over electoral outcomes, suggesting that unity remains a critical factor in shaping the contest.

At the institutional level, preparations for the election are tightening. Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba has warned candidates against disorder during nominations, particularly in disputes involving adoption certificates. The Electoral Commission of Zambia has also instructed its staff to verify candidate qualifications thoroughly to avoid challenges that could disrupt the electoral timeline.

These developments point to an election environment shaped by both mobilisation and regulation. Political parties are working to consolidate support, while state institutions are focusing on maintaining order and procedural integrity.

The President’s five million vote target sets a clear numerical benchmark for the ruling party. It signals an expectation of broad-based support and reflects confidence in the party’s ability to extend its reach beyond its existing base.

The emphasis on recruitment and community engagement suggests that the campaign will be driven by direct interaction rather than large-scale messaging alone. It also indicates that voter turnout and participation will be central to determining the outcome.

With several months remaining before polling, the focus is shifting from internal party organisation to outward-facing mobilisation. Political actors are positioning themselves, building alliances and testing their messages in anticipation of a highly contested election.