ELECTION WATCH | Voters Want Proof, Not Promises

Conversations with traders at Chelstone Big Market suggest that, as Zambia heads to the polls, many voters are increasingly judging candidates not by campaign pledges but by what has already changed in their lives.

By Clara Chisenga

As candidates intensify their campaigns ahead of Zambia’s 13 August General Election, they continue to promise free education, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) opportunities and expanded social protection. But conversations with traders at Chelstone Big Market suggest many voters are asking a different question: Can candidates show what they have already delivered?

Over a three-week period, MakanDay spoke with traders at Chelstone Big Market in Lusaka’s Munali Constituency. Their responses revealed a common sentiment: many are no longer persuaded by campaign pledges alone. Instead, they want tangible evidence that promises made in previous elections have translated into real improvements in their communities and livelihoods.

The conversations matter because Chelstone Big Market sits within Munali Constituency, one of Lusaka’s most competitive urban constituencies.

According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the constituency has over 146,000 registered voters, making it a significant electoral battleground in the capital.

Their concerns offer a snapshot of the issues shaping everyday political expectations in one of Lusaka’s busiest trading communities.

1. Voters Want Promises That Last Beyond Campaign Season

Several traders said candidates return every election with familiar pledges, particularly around CDF loans, grants, market development and empowerment. According to them, these promises rarely translate into visible improvements once elections are over.

“We keep hearing about CDF and empowerment programmes, but we don’t see them happen.”

Rather than new commitments, traders say they want elected leaders to account for promises already made.

Official records show that Munali Constituency has received annual CDF allocations since 2022, while completed projects include classroom blocks, police infrastructure, school desks, bursaries and empowerment funding for community groups. However, many traders interviewed by MakanDay said they either had limited information about these programmes or had not personally benefited from them, reinforcing their call for greater accountability and transparency.

2. Voters Want Better Access to CDF Opportunities

Campaigns often highlight CDF loans and grants as opportunities for small businesses.

Yet many traders say they only hear about these programmes during election campaigns or from people who have already benefited.

They argue that information about eligibility, application procedures and available funding should be provided throughout the year—not only when politicians are seeking votes.

Available Lusaka City Council records indicate that Munali has received steadily increasing CDF allocations over the past five years, while dozens of loans and grants have been approved for businesses and community groups. However, the published beneficiary lists do not indicate how many recipients came directly from Chelstone Big Market, something traders say makes it difficult to understand whether marketeers are accessing the opportunities being advertised.

3. Voters Judge Leaders by Everyday Services

Beyond national campaign messages, traders pointed to practical local issues that affect their businesses every day.

Among the concerns raised were the installation of security lighting, regular cleaning of ablution facilities, rehabilitation of blocked drainage systems, improved waste management, and enhanced security around the market.

For many traders, these everyday services are a more meaningful measure of leadership than campaign promises or political speeches.

Their concerns also reflect broader questions about the implementation of development projects. According to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report on Constituency Development Fund (CDF) utilisation, several projects in Munali Constituency experienced delays, while some completed projects had not been commissioned within the expected timeframe.

4. Voters Want Leaders Who Stay Visible After Elections

Several traders complained that candidates frequently visit markets during campaigns but rarely return once elected.

Some candidates have promised regular engagement with traders if elected.

The traders say they will judge those commitments by whether such visits continue after polling day.

5. Voters Want Economic Relief

Beyond infrastructure, traders said slow business remains one of their biggest concerns. Many appealed for policies that improve cash circulation and strengthen local economic activity, arguing that increased customer spending would do more for their livelihoods than repeated campaign pledges.

How Candidates Responded

Candidates contesting the Munali parliamentary seat told MakanDay they have taken note of traders’ concerns and have proposed different approaches.

Resolute Party parliamentary candidate Chrispin Chiinda pledged to improve roads around Chelstone Big Market and across Chelstone Township, arguing that better infrastructure would improve business activity, particularly during the rainy season. He also said traders who struggle to access CDF because of limited knowledge of application procedures would receive assistance.

Citizens First candidate Mwenya Matafwali said his campaign focuses on improving access to business capital and creating a better trading environment. Drawing on his experience as former City Market Chairperson, he said he understands the challenges facing marketeers and believes practical solutions can be found.

Meanwhile, UPND candidate for Chakunkula Ward, Nchimunya Njomoona, said he intends to continue improving water reticulation, market infrastructure, drainage systems and access roads while strengthening communication about CDF opportunities for traders.

Other candidates contesting the Munali parliamentary seat are Thomas Sipalo (UPND), Vincent Mpomwa (Socialist Party), Daniel Phiri (Zambia Must Prosper), and independent candidates Andrew Mutila, Obbie Chomba, Mpanza Mvunga, Semba Chimbalanga and Makishi Lusulo.

Expert Perspective

Political scientist and historian Dr Euston Chiputa believes election coverage often places greater emphasis on presidential and parliamentary campaigns than on local government elections, even though many of the issues affecting traders fall under the responsibility of councils.

He argues that journalists should devote greater attention to councillors and local government candidates because services such as markets, drainage, sanitation, local infrastructure and many CDF programmes are implemented at council level.

Caritas Zambia has similarly urged political actors to broaden campaign discussions beyond CDF and free education. The organisation says issues such as land management, urban planning and overall public service delivery deserve equal attention during the election period, while acknowledging the important role CDF continues to play in community development.

The Chelstone Context

Chelstone Big Market is located in Chakunkula Ward of Munali Constituency.

According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s validated voters’ register, Munali Constituency has 146,076 registered voters.

Traders told MakanDay that, so far, they have mainly been visited by candidates from the ruling UPND and independent candidates contesting the ward seat.

Campaign messages have largely centred on continuing free education, expanding CDF empowerment programmes and increasing access to Social Cash Transfer.

While traders acknowledge the importance of these initiatives, many say they would rather see existing programmes implemented consistently before new promises are made.

The Bigger Picture

The conversations at Chelstone Big Market reflect a broader question many Zambian voters appear to be asking during this election campaign: Can candidates demonstrate what they have already delivered, rather than simply offering new promises?

For many traders, elections are becoming less about campaign rhetoric and more about visible performance, accountability and sustained engagement beyond polling day. They are not rejecting campaign promises outright; they are asking candidates to demonstrate that commitments made in previous elections translated into tangible improvements in their daily lives.

As Zambia heads to the polls on 13 August, the voices from Chelstone suggest that voters are increasingly measuring leadership not only by what politicians promise during campaigns, but also by what they continue to deliver long after campaign vehicles have left the marketplace.

Munali at a Glance

Clara Chisenga is a journalist from Radio Icengelo in Kitwe. She is currently undertaking a three-month internship at MakanDay after earning third place in the 2025 MakanDay Awards for Investigative Journalism.

Photo Credit | Hakainde Hichilema’s Facebook Page