The Governance Accountability Initiative has raised concern over political elites abandoning urban constituencies to pursue electoral fortunes in rural areas.
The organisation’s Executive Director Gabriel Mailo cautioned that rural dwellers are being misled by politicians who only appear during election seasons after neglecting them for years.
Mailo highlighted the case of Munali Member of Parliament Mike Mposha, who shifted from Lusaka’s Munali Constituency to contest the August general election in Malambo Constituency of Mambwe District under the UPND.
He stressed that rural voters should support leaders who have stood with them throughout the five-year period, not those who emerge at the last minute.
He pointed out that rural areas continue to suffer from poor infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, dilapidated schools, and broken bridges.
Addressing these gaps, he noted, would empower youth and women to participate meaningfully in economic development.
Mailo underscored that while contesting elections is a democratic right, it is unjust for urban elites to neglect rural communities for decades without initiating development projects, only to return when seeking votes.
He remarked that urban elites must not consolidate political power simply to satisfy economic interests.
He urged voters to be vigilant in this year’s election.
He further advised that voters should make decisions based on reasoning rather than short-term handouts.
He said that the era of buying votes with chitenge, salt, and soap is over, and citizens must choose leaders who genuinely serve them.
