Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) Board Chairperson Henry Kabwe has commended the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) for its innovation and continuous improvement to the education sector.

Mr Kabwe said  the introduction of the facial recognition technology by ECZ will help prevent cheating during examinations.

He said the system will also ensure verification and issuance of certificates to deserving candidates.

Speaking to the media in an interview, Mr Kabwe explained that the new technology will enhance public confidence and credibility in the education system both locally and internationally.

” We would like to commend ECZ for introducing this technology, this is a welcome move as it will bring trust and credibility in the institution and confidence in the certificates obtained by candidates, “Mr Kabwe said.

He added that linking learners’ faces to registration details will help ensure only pupils who actually sat for examinations claim the results on written examinations.

” We have heard in the past of cases of people trying to write examinations on behalf of others, with this technology, it will be a thing of the past,” Mr Kabwe said.

Mr Kabwe appealed to ECZ to find a way of reducing on candidates entering to write their examinations in rural areas adding that it was a breeding ground for cheating.

The political atmosphere in Serenje Central Constituency came alive yesterday as candidates from three candidates successfully filed in their nominations ahead of the Muchinda ward by-election set for February 12.

The three include Garrison Musonda of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ), Ronald Chola of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), and Nicholas Munsele of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

The nomination centre was a hive of activity, with supporters clad in party regalia singing and chanting slogans as their candidates arrived to formalise their participation in the upcoming poll.

UPPZ candidate Garrison Musonda was the first to arrive at 12:14 hrs, accompanied by a modest but spirited group of supporters.

 He completed his nomination process at 13:20 hrs.

UPND’s Nicholas Munsele followed shortly after, submitting his papers between 13:29 hrs and 14:09 hrs, amid cheers from a visibly larger crowd of ruling party sympathisers.

FDD’s Ronald Chola entered the centre at 14:50 hrs and concluded his nomination at 15:20 hrs, greeted by a determined group of followers who vowed to rally behind him.

Returning Officer Smart Muwowo later confirmed the validity of all three nominations, declaring the process incident-free and orderly.

The by-election, scheduled for 12th February, will fill the vacant seat left by the late councilor Thomas Phiri, whose passing prompted renewed political interest in Muchinda ward.

Speaking after filing their papers, each candidate expressed confidence of victory with Ronald Chola of the FDD emphasising his deep understanding of the challenges facing Muchinda residents, pledging to prioritise solutions that directly address their daily struggles.

Garrison Musonda of the UPPZ declared himself “the voice of the people,” promising to champion development initiatives that would uplift the ward once elected.

Nicholas Munsele of the UPND highlighted the progress already achieved under the ruling party in Serenje, noting that ongoing projects in Muchinda give him confidence of winning.

He vowed to push for the construction of bridges, schools, and health facilities to further improve the lives of residents.

Meanwhile, UPND District Chairperson Norah Koyi appealed for calm and unity, urging residents to shun violence during and after the election.

 “Our President has always been an advocate of peaceful elections,” she said, stressing the importance of maintaining harmony throughout the campaign period.

Police Commanding Officer Chiyambi Kayombo commended all political parties for conducting themselves peacefully during nominations, while Central Province Electoral Officer Clint Susiku reminded parties to manage their cadres responsibly.

“Peace is paramount; we are the same people, we are even related,” he remarked, underscoring the need for adherence to the official campaign timetable.

With nominations now closed, campaigns officially begin on  23rd January, setting the stage for what promises to be a spirited contest in Muchinda ward.

By Venus N Msyani

I believe in a democracy strengthened by a strong opposition, and I have been deeply worried about its future. Our current government seems to believe in a democracy with a weak opposition.

For years, the United Party for National Development (UPND) has governed as though democracy can function without scrutiny. Instead of embracing competition, it has leaned on selective anti‑corruption drives and a suspicious pattern of by‑elections, none of which have affected a UPND‑held seat.

The only exception was the 2022 Kabwata by‑election, triggered by the death of the area’s UPND MP. Every other by‑election has targeted opposition or independent MPs. Kwacha, Kabushi, Kawambwa, Pambashe, and Mfuwe all hit the opposition. Petauke Central and Lumezi also saw by‑elections, though those seats were previously held by independents.

The message has been consistent: weaken the opposition, consolidate power, and shape public perception ahead of the 2026 general election.

The recent Chawama by‑election, called after the seat held by Tasila Lungu was declared vacant, was widely viewed as another step in the UPND’s effort to erode opposition representation. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, has already faced criticism for decisions that appear to favor the ruling party. Declaring the seat vacant while the late former president’s burial remains unresolved only deepened public suspicion.

Many Zambians expected a predictable outcome: another ruling‑party victory and more “proof” that the opposition had collapsed.

But voters had other plans. Against the odds, and despite a crowded field of nine candidates that split the opposition vote, the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) under the TONSE alliance emerged victorious. Bright Nundwe’s 8,085 votes surpassed the UPND’s Morgan Muunda, who received 6,542.

This was more than a win. It was a political rebuke. It dismantled the ruling party’s narrative that Zambia lacks a viable opposition. It reminded the nation that democracy thrives only when those in power can be challenged and defeated.

Had the UPND captured Chawama, the “dead opposition” storyline would have hardened just months before the general election. Such a perception is dangerous. It can suppress voter turnout, create a false sense of inevitability, enable manipulation of public opinion, and weaken trust in the electoral process.

Instead, the Chawama result has injected hope into Zambia’s political bloodstream. It has shown that voters are not as easily swayed by propaganda as the ruling party might prefer.

The UPND has a history of struggling to accept electoral setbacks. That is why the “no opposition” narrative is so troubling. If left unchallenged, it could become the basis for rejecting unfavorable results in August 2026.

Zambia cannot afford that. Its democracy cannot survive on the terms of a single party. The Chawama by‑election should serve as a wake‑up call: opposition voices remain strong, and the electorate still values choice. Any attempt to silence or delegitimize those voices must be confronted directly.

For those of us who believe in a democracy with strong opposition and have chosen to defend it, the UPND’s repeated by‑election victories have been demoralizing. Combined with the persistent claim that “there is no opposition in the country,” hope for preserving a robust democracy had begun to fade.

Thank God that narrative has now been exposed for what it always was: a calculated piece of propaganda meant to demoralize voters and weaken democratic resistance. On January 16th, we woke up to a political reality that restored hope: the opposition is alive, active, and capable of winning.

I remain committed to defending a democracy built on strong opposition. If doing the same, I encourage you not to lose hope.