Tasila Lungu has been appointed National Youth Chairperson of the Tonse Alliance, placing her within the alliance’s senior leadership structure as it advances preparations for the 2026 general elections.

The opposition alliance confirmed that the appointment followed consultations involving senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

Tonse Alliance spokesperson Dr Lawrence Mwelwa said Ms Lungu was engaged during the consultation process and accepted the appointment after discussions with the alliance leadership.

He said the engagement took place in the presence of other stakeholders and that Ms Lungu gave her approval for the appointment to proceed, adding that she would personally issue confirmation.

Ms Lungu’s appointment assigns her responsibility for coordinating youth mobilisation, participation, and outreach across the country, a role that forms part of the alliance’s efforts to strengthen its organisational structures ahead of the 2026 polls.

The confirmation of her appointment follows a meeting of the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders held on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Forum for Democracy and Development offices in Lusaka. The meeting, which began at 10:00 hours, was chaired by Tonse Alliance President and 2026 presidential candidate Brian Mundubile.

According to an official communiqué issued after the meeting, the Council of Leaders deliberated on organisational, electoral, and strategic matters affecting the alliance.

During the meeting, the Council received, deliberated upon, and approved a report on the Kasama by-elections presented by the alliance’s campaign manager. The Council expressed concern over incidents of intimidation, voter suppression, electoral violence, vote-buying, and institutional failures that it said affected the credibility of the electoral process.

Following the deliberations, the Council resolved that the Tonse Alliance would strengthen its electoral preparedness, mobilisation structures, and security response mechanisms ahead of future electoral contests.

The Council also received and approved the summary report of the Tonse Alliance General Congress and affirmed that all resolutions arising from the congress were valid and binding.

In addition, the Council approved the admission of new organisations into the Tonse Alliance. These include Youth Advocates for Development in Africa, the Tractor Movement, and the Centre for Mass Media Registration and Social Change. The Council also noted that the Liberal Democratic Party had pledged to return to the alliance after consultations with its leadership.

The Council further approved presidential appointments to the National Executive Politburo in accordance with Articles 10 and 12 of the Tonse Alliance Constitution.

Among the appointments confirmed were Prof. Danny Pule as National Chairman, Hon. Brendah Nyirenda as Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs, and Ms Gift Kapila as Deputy Secretary General for Administration. Dr Lawrence Mwelwa was confirmed as Tonse Alliance Spokesperson, with Mr Kolala Mukupa appointed as Vice Spokesperson.

Ms Lungu’s appointment as National Youth Chairperson was confirmed alongside that of Mr Jason Mwanza as Deputy National Youth Chairman and Hon. Jean Chisenga as Deputy National Youth Chairlady.

Other appointments approved by the Council include Mr Debby Kambwa Aongola as National Legal Chairman, Dr Kafula Mubanga as National Chairperson for Energy, Mr Thomas Sipalo as National Chairperson for Arts, Music, Film and Entertainment, and Mr Nason Msoni as National Chairman for Foreign Affairs and External Relations.

The Council deferred the matter of provincial Tonse Alliance chairpersons, resolving that it would be considered after further deliberations and recommendations by the relevant portfolio committees.

The meeting also received a brief update on the draft Tonse Alliance consolidated manifesto, with the Council resolving that substantive discussion and approval would take place after consultations by the relevant portfolio committees.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to unity, democratic values, peaceful political participation, and the protection of its members and supporters as the alliance prepares for the 2026 general elections.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that members of the public will have only one day to submit representations and objections during the ongoing delimitation exercise ahead of the August 2026 general elections.

The Commission stated that the one-day submission window is provided for under the legal framework governing the delimitation process. It explained that the timeline is intended to ensure that the exercise is conducted within constitutional requirements while maintaining order and consistency throughout the process.

Delimitation involves the review and adjustment of constituency and ward boundaries to ensure equitable representation based on population changes and administrative considerations. As part of the process, the ECZ is required to publish preliminary proposals outlining proposed boundary changes before allowing stakeholders to make submissions.

According to the Commission, once the proposals are published, stakeholders including members of the public, political parties, traditional leaders, and other interested parties will be allowed to submit their views within the designated one-day period. Submissions made outside the stipulated timeframe will not be considered.

The ECZ said the one-day submission period should not be interpreted as an attempt to restrict public participation. Instead, it said the process includes prior stages that allow stakeholders to familiarise themselves with proposed changes and prepare their representations in advance.

The Commission further explained that delimitation is a technical exercise guided by constitutional principles, population data, geographic factors, and administrative efficiency. Public input, it said, remains important in highlighting local concerns that may not be fully captured through statistical data alone.

Concerns have been raised in some quarters regarding the brevity of the submission window. In response, the ECZ maintained that the process is structured to balance inclusivity with the need to complete the exercise within legally prescribed timelines. It said adequate notice would be provided to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the submission date and procedures.

The Commission also stressed that delimitation decisions are not influenced by political considerations. It said the exercise is conducted independently and objectively, with the aim of strengthening electoral fairness and representation.

As Zambia prepares for the 2026 general elections, the delimitation exercise is expected to play a critical role in shaping constituency and ward boundaries across the country. These boundaries will determine voter representation in the National Assembly and local government structures.

The ECZ reiterated its commitment to transparency and adherence to the law throughout the delimitation process. It encouraged stakeholders to engage constructively and to make use of the submission opportunity within the specified timeframe.

The outcome of the exercise will form the basis for electoral boundaries used in the August polls, influencing how communities are represented and how electoral administration is carried out nationwide.

President Hakainde Hichilema has declined to assent to the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Bill, describing the proposed law as intrusive and raising concerns about its potential impact on the private lives of citizens. The decision has resulted in the Bill being returned to the National Assembly for further consideration.

According to information published by News Diggers, President Hichilema said the Bill, in its current form, posed a risk of intrusion into the private lives of citizens. He stated that the legislation required broader consultation and refinement before it could be enacted into law.

The CCTV Bill had previously passed through Parliament, paving the way for the expansion and regulation of surveillance systems in public spaces. However, concerns emerged regarding the scope of surveillance powers and the safeguards available to protect citizens’ rights.

President Hichilema said laws that touch on surveillance and personal privacy must be approached with caution, stressing the importance of balancing security objectives with constitutional protections. He noted that legislation of such nature should not undermine civil liberties or create room for abuse.

By returning the Bill to Parliament, the President effectively reopened debate on the framework governing CCTV surveillance. Government sources indicated that further consultations would be undertaken to address the issues raised, including the extent of monitoring powers and mechanisms for accountability.

The decision follows public debate and commentary around the proposed law, with concerns focusing on how CCTV footage would be accessed, stored, and used. Questions were also raised about oversight and whether sufficient safeguards existed to prevent misuse.

From the executive perspective, the return of the Bill signals a preference for inclusive legislative processes, particularly on matters that affect fundamental rights. The President’s stance places emphasis on ensuring that laws align with constitutional principles and public expectations.

The development also places the matter back before Members of Parliament, who will now be required to revisit the Bill, consider amendments, and determine whether additional stakeholder input is necessary. The National Assembly is expected to deliberate on the concerns highlighted by the President when the Bill is reintroduced.

The CCTV Bill forms part of broader efforts to modernise security infrastructure and enhance crime prevention. However, the President’s intervention highlights the complexities involved in legislating surveillance tools in a democratic society.

As Parliament prepares to reconsider the Bill, attention is expected to focus on how to strike a balance between enhancing public safety and safeguarding individual freedoms. The outcome of the renewed deliberations will determine whether the Bill is amended, withdrawn, or reintroduced in a revised form.

Newly elected Chawama Member of Parliament Bright Nundwe (Tonse/FDD) says voters do not want to see presidential candidates from the Patriotic Front, Given Lubinda, Makebi Zulu and Brian Mundubile, standing independently of each other in the August 2026 general elections.

Nundwe made the remarks in an interview with Daily Revelation on Wednesday, where he stated that PF members did not want to see their leaders go into the August 13 election with split votes. He said the situation was linked to ongoing infighting among PF leaders and stressed that unity is essential.

He said his message was rooted in what residents were telling him, adding that people were paying attention to how political leaders were positioning themselves ahead of the elections. Nundwe said he had remained hopeful that the ongoing infighting was going to be resolved among PF leaders, but added that he was not sure the disputes would be settled.

Nundwe also spoke from the perspective of his own constituency, describing the concerns of residents and what they want addressed. He said he is “just an MP for Chawama constituency” and that he has heard people raise issues linked to development and service delivery. He said he wants leaders to work together in harmony and that unity was the best route to avoid confusion and division.

In the same interview, Nundwe addressed commentary questioning his ties to the constituency. He said claims that he did not reside in Chawama were laughable. He stated that he was a resident of Chawama, was born in Chawama constituency, and that he had lived there from Grade Seven up to that point. He rejected claims that he lives in Rufunsa, saying he has no petty issues and does not want to take part in petty disputes.

He said political work should not be reduced to what he described as petty talk, emphasising that his focus is on the concerns of residents and what the constituency needs. He said people should concentrate on what will improve communities and should not be distracted by accusations and rumours about where individuals live.

Nundwe also spoke about the need for unity beyond Chawama. He stated that he wants people to be trading freely in the country and repeated his view that unity should matter across constituencies. He said Chawama must coexist in the constituency, regardless of their tribe, and framed that as a broader national message.

He also raised local development issues that he said residents care about, including water. Nundwe said he wanted to look at the issue of security in the constituency and also spoke about the construction of the police post, saying there was a construction that had almost been done. He said the matter needed attention.

Nundwe further described what he said were practical opportunities in the area, referring to a water feature and development potential. He referenced the Blue Water dam and described it as a feature that could support activities such as irrigation, boat cruising, and other related activities. He said those were among the things people talk about when discussing development possibilities.

He also spoke about how he wants to approach development in a way that supports investors and local opportunity, while pointing to what he described as unfortunate conditions related to water and development needs.

The remarks were made as Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections and as political parties and leaders weigh campaign strategies. Nundwe’s statement placed emphasis on unity, leadership coordination, and constituency priorities, while also pushing back against what he described as distractions that do not address residents’ needs.