NDOLA CENTRAL REJECTS FRNAK TAYALI, ELECTS MULENGA

The political landscape of the Copperbelt Province has experienced a notable shift following the outcome of the parliamentary race in Ndola Central Constituency. Emmanuel Mulenga, running under the Resolute Party banner, secured a decisive victory over the incumbent legislator and former Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali of the United Party for National Development (UPND). The electoral contest had captured intense national attention, serving as a critical barometer of political sentiment in one of the country's key urban and industrial hubs. Campaigning across the constituency was characterized by fierce competition, high-energy rallies, and extensive grassroots mobilization. Mr. Tayali, who served in President Hakainde Hichilema’s cabinet following the UPND's 2021 electoral triumph, campaigned heavily on infrastructure development, constituency development fund (CDF) utilization, and his administration's policy direction. However, he faced an uphill battle against a strong desire for legislative turnover and a resilient challenge from opposition figures attempting to claw back ground on the Copperbelt. Mr. Mulenga, a former area Member of Parliament and former Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, leveraged his previous tenure and deep-rooted local networks to reconnect with the electorate. Banking on voter nostalgia and criticisms directed at the ruling party's economic delivery in urban centers, Mulenga's camp successfully galvanized support around local empowerment and representation. The race was not without friction; localized tensions and minor skirmishes were reported during the polling period, prompting swift security interventions to maintain law and order at volatile polling stations. Observers note that this electoral outcome underscores the fluid and often unforgiving nature of Zambian urban politics, where incumbents face rigorous public scrutiny over service delivery and cost-of-living pressures. For the ruling UPND, losi