The silence from the opposition Tonse Alliance and Socialist Party is deafening and cannot be ignored.
This silence is particularly notable given the opposition’s vocal comments prior to the Mfuwe constituency by-election, and it warrants a comment.
The Socialist Party has not issued a statement or given a media briefing to concede defeat or, indeed, to dispute the just announced Mfuwe constituency by-election results. 
Before the Lumezi and Mfume by-elections, respectively, the Socialist Party promised to teach the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), a political lesson heading into the 2026 general elections.
Party leader Fred M’membe said the opposition was to field a single candidate in the Lumezi and Mfuwe by-elections as a test run for their unity and a precursor to the general elections.
Unlike in the past, when Patriotic Front (PF) in government used to use State machinery to campaign in by- elections, and often using violence and distributing money, the recent by-elections under UPND has seen a different approach.
In Mfuwe, only a few cabinet ministers joined party functionaries to campaign, marking a departure from the usual maltactics.
However, under the UPND administration, this is not the case.
This morning, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the results of the Mfuwe Constituency by-election.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has secured a commanding win in the Mfuwe parliamentary by-election, marking another significant milestone in the party’s expanding influence across the nation.
Mufunelo Malama, the UPND candidate, emerged victorious with an impressive 5,684 votes, demonstrating a strong community support in what has traditionally been considered challenging territory for the ruling party.
His closest competitor, Brian Kunda of the New Congress party trailed with 1,665 votes, while Charles Mubaanga of the Socialist Party getting got 1,507 votes. The combined opposition vote of 3,172
The victory margin of 4,019 votes between the top two candidates underscores the decisive nature of the win, with Mr. Malama secured nearly four times as many votes as his nearest rival.
Even when combining all opposition votes, totalling 3,172, the UPND candidate maintained a substantial lead of 2,512 votes.
We ask, does Mr. Fred Namakando M’membe still holds the view that the outcome of the by-elections in Mfuwe and Lumezi is a precursor to the general elections?
Here is why we agree with King Fred.
