By James Mwape | Ndola
When opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile addressed supporters at a campaign rally in Twapia Township, Ndola on the Copperbelt, the loudspeakers carried familiar promises of change.
Away from the podium, however, a different story was unfolding. Several voters approached by MakanDay were reluctant to discuss the upcoming 13 August general election on the record, with some declining to explain their concerns even anonymously.
One young woman, who said she will be casting her ballot for the first time, described this year’s election campaign as unusually quiet.
She said she was afraid to vote in the forthcoming elections. However, when asked whether she would allow her comments to be recorded or explain the reasons for her fears, she declined.
Another elderly woman initially agreed to speak with MakanDay but withdrew from the interview after learning it would be recorded.
While the reasons for their reluctance remain unclear, the encounters reflected a level of caution among some Zambians about discussing politics openly.
The observations come as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of polling day.
MakanDay has also spoken to residents in other parts of Ndola in recent weeks. Although many were willing to discuss politics, most openly identified with particular political parties, making it difficult to find voters who described themselves as politically neutral.
Meanwhile, two presidential candidates interviewed separately by MakanDay offered a similar explanation for the subdued campaign atmosphere.
Green Party president Peter Sinkamba and Zambia Wake-Up Party (ZAWAPA) president Howard Kunda said many Zambians have become increasingly disillusioned after years of campaign promises that they believe have gone unfulfilled.
They argued that repeated promises that have not translated into tangible improvements have left many citizens disengaged from electoral politics.
Despite the subdued mood reported by some voters, there are signs that campaign activity is beginning to intensify.
A similar sentiment was echoed by Dag Hammarskjöld Constituency independent parliamentary candidate Ernest Sumani, who said years of unfulfilled political promises have made it increasingly difficult for aspiring candidates to earn the trust of voters.
In an interview with Radio Icengelo in Ndola, Sumani described the political atmosphere in the constituency as peaceful but characterised by a noticeable silence among voters ahead of the 13 August general election.
He said many residents tell him they believe all politicians are the same and accuse aspiring candidates of seeking votes only to disappear after winning elections, as they allege previous leaders have done.
Despite the widespread scepticism, Sumani said some voters remain willing to give new leaders an opportunity, a development he believes offers hope for independent candidates seeking to convince an increasingly cautious electorate.
Despite the subdued mood reported by some voters, there are signs that campaign activity is beginning to intensify. In recent days, political parties have increased the visibility of their campaigns, with public address vehicles, roadside mobilisation teams and loudspeaker announcements becoming more common across parts of Ndola.
Even so, longtime residents interviewed by MakanDay said the current campaign season appears less vibrant than previous election periods, when rallies, roadshows and party activities dominated public spaces weeks before polling day.
With less than two weeks before Zambians vote, the contrast between increasingly visible campaign activities and the reluctance of some citizens to speak publicly about the election presents an emerging picture of an electorate that is being courted by politicians but, in some cases, remains cautious about openly expressing its views.
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