By Venus N Msyani
President Hakainde Hichilema has sparked speculation about the possibility of early elections following remarks made at the funeral of former Cabinet Minister Hon. Ackson Sejani.
Late Sejani, may his soul rest in peace, was a prominent Zambian politician. He served as a Cabinet Minister under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) government from 1991 to 2001 and was also a Member of Parliament for Mapatizya Constituency from 1991 until 2011.
The Honorable Sejani held various positions, including Minister of Local Government and Housing and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries. He passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 67 at Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, after an illness.
Speaking at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, President Hichilema reflected on Zambia’s democratic evolution, drawing parallels to the landmark 1991 general election that ushered in multiparty democracy.
In his tribute, the president praised Sejani’s role in shaping Zambia’s political landscape, referencing the early elections of 1991 as a pivotal moment. He acknowledged Sejani, along with Peter Machungwa, Vernon Mwaanga, and William Harrington, who attended the service, for their contributions to democratic reform.
“Sejani contributed a lot to the development of this country… This country was a one-party state for many years, and many young people today have no understanding of what that meant,” Hichilema said. “Maybe that’s why the younger generation must read a little bit, so we can protect this democracy we have.”
Hichilema recounted that while elections were held in 1988, the next were expected in 1993. However, public dissatisfaction with the one-party system led to early elections in 1991. He also shared a personal story from his university days, describing the fear of expressing political views due to government informers, a reflection of the repressive climate that fueled calls for change.
Under Zambia’s Constitution, general elections are held every five years on the second Thursday of August. However, provisions allow for early elections if public demand is strong.
While the president stopped short of explicitly calling for early polls, his reference to 1991 has been interpreted by some observers as a subtle signal. The historical parallel, coupled with Zambia’s current political climate, has raised questions about the president’s intentions.
Last year, amid economic challenges and rising living costs, former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, may his soul rest in peace, called for early elections, a call echoed by opposition groups, including the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA). With the former president’s passing, the opposition faces a leadership vacuum and limited time to regroup ahead of the scheduled 2026 elections.
Supporters of early elections cite the 1991 precedent as justification. Hichilema’s remarks may suggest a strategic interest in advancing the timeline, especially with the opposition in disarray and public pressure mounting.
Critics, however, warn that leveraging political advantage through early elections could undermine democratic principles. They argue that democracy thrives on fair competition, not tactical maneuvering.
Adding to the speculation, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that mass voter registration will begin on October 13, 2025, nearly a month earlier than the 2021 registration cycle. The timing has been interpreted by some as a possible precursor to early polls.
While early elections are not a dominant public demand, prior opposition calls could make such a move appear responsive to popular will. Hichilema’s remarks, coupled with the ECZ’s timeline, may signal more than tribute; they could be a political test balloon.
Stop dreaming. What would be the basis for early elections. Of course the UPND has performed very badly in economic and governance issues and Zambia is worse off now economically than under PF, but i doubt that calls for early elections
UPND lamentable failure is visible. The reason they are projecting free education which absolutely no single Zambian voted for. The immediate ailment which needs curing is the high cost of living, a cost of living which is higher than when PF was in power. If you sort out bread and butter issues, your free education will even be appreciated. Especially that the opposition is in disarray through the UPND machinations of course
The election calendar is constitutionally fixed. What’s Musyani talking about? Yes, he has the right to speak freely but he has no right to be taken seriously.
As the situation itself of economic and social governance stand right now, there’s no for an early election. Thoughtful and considerate citizens of this nation understand what’s at stake when it comes development and progress. The current government can not lose focus in this fast interlinked global economic changes.
Which global challenges are those which are not affecting Burkina Faso. More recently before the kwacha showed some artificial resurrection our currency was the worst performing in the world, what global are you talking about
They are now blaming global, excuses started from blaming Russia Ukraine war, to drought, to hunger is biblical, to now it is global. Start working please, you are wasting out time
baseless speculation, when it is almost time for elections already.
This is my own opinion I think the time for the opposition to organize themselves is far gone, just imagine if we are to start counting down to 12th August 2025 voting day we are now talking about 11th Months remaining. No clear candidate for the opposition , this is exactly what happened to UDA there was no candidate in the early years and what was the result in 2006? Poor.
Just look at the performance of PF in 2006 they almost got it! Why? because their candidate started campaigning way back 2001 and fully preparing for 2006. Even if we bank for miracle I strong doubt it if it can work
Yes Peace Maker, the ruling party has played its part in disabling the opposition, did you see the number of Police officers which was protecting Sampas illegal convention, which himself Kilometers says was an illegal convention
I think the public or some members of the public are not being fair by saying that the New Dawn Government has not done well on the economy. Which Zambian Government did well on the economy? Even the respected UNIP Government did poorly in that area. The British left a vibrant economy where the Kwacha was stronger than US Dollar but reduced it to almost nothing. MMD sold even the profitable companies and PF left us with a huge and unsustainable debt. The New Dawn weather we like it or not the exchange rate could be US$1 to above fifty Kwacah were it not for the measures taken by the Government
Well said Derek, because if these chaps are not told, they will come back with the same fake vibes in the next campaigns with full of excuses later after being voted in
The president while wearing gloves and mask told us with his statistical graphical approach to economy and governance outpaces every past government. Why would LIYUNGA come here to say today’s UPND failure is like what happened after independence?
My friend, it is the new dawn itself who told us what they were going to do. On the economic front Fuel was going to be K12 per litre after cutting out the middle men, mealie meal was going to be K50 per 25kg bag, Kwacha was going to be pick up against the dollar at 14hrs after being sworn in at 10hrs same day service, and fertiliser was going to be at K250 a bag, and loadshedding was going to end. This was told to the electorates voluntarily and not under duress by the UPND. This is the measure which the public is using. So don’t deviate and distract
No need for early elections. There is no crisis necessitating that; just work your way to 2026 fellas.