A 2021 ELECTION STRATEGY OR WHAT?

 *AE ELECTION STRATEGY OR WHAT?*

_Percy Mwale_

Just after the Patriotic Front (PF) completed its adoption process at parliamentary level, the nation has been treated to a Tsunami of independents declaring their candidacy. This year, we expect to see a record number of 'frustrated' aspirants going independent and this is probably a new experience for a ruling party.

From where I stand, Rashida Mulenga (Kalulushi), Zindaba Soko (Chipata Central), Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda (Petauke) and Binwell Mpundu (Nkana) seemed to be front runners in the primaries prior to the Central Committee selection process.

My personal opinion is that this scenario of independents is likely to produce atleast two (02) outcomes.

01. The danger in going solo is that this decision can send, and will send some independent candidates into political oblivion once they lose.

02. Some independents will send a strong signal to the powers that be that after all the Central Committee errored by not selecting them if they end up being victors.

What could have gone wrong for these candidates? Well, its only the Central Committee that can ably answer this question.

Was the Central Committee just trying to give favours to their colleagues by keeping some of these incumbents?

Maybe the Central Committee was not courageous enough to decide the fate of some of these top dogs and had to let them go to the 'cleaners'. Maybe they thought its better these incumbents get it straight from the electorates that they had outlived their usefulness. Maybe they can eventually retire from politics after an embarrassing defeat as an incumbent. The PF had this experience in 2016 when incumbents lost seats in Wusakili, Chimwemwe and Kantanshi constituencies.

But then, supposing it is a political strategy, who stands to benefit out of all this 'mess'?

The PF and its presidential candidate are poised to be huge beneficiaries from this 'independent candidate euphoria'. Why do I say so? 

This means that the PF will lose very few voters since the rejected and the adopted candidates will both campaign for the same presidential candidate. Again, Wusakili, Chimwemwe and Kantanshi are very good examples of the preaidential candidate benefitting from two strong parliamentary candidates. This has even the 2016 independent candidates in Wusakili and Kantanshi being adopted on the PF ticket in 2021. A confirmation of their strength on the ground.

Was this the strategy? If so, then Edgar Chagwa Lungu has outsmarted them all and is set to retain the presidency with a resounding victory.

The party with the best strategy, is set to emerge victorious post 12 August 2021.

Napita mukwai!

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