LUSAKA - A Lusaka resident says President Hakainde Hichilema's whistle-stop campaign strategy has been one of the most methodical and disciplined presidential campaigns witnessed in Zambia's recent political history.
Chris Haambote Senior said what initially appeared to some observers to be an exhausting series of rapid campaign rallies has, upon closer examination, proved to be a carefully coordinated national campaign strategy.
Mr. Haambote said many of the President's political opponents mistakenly believed that his initial two-day visits to each province constituted the entirety of his campaign.
According to Mr. Haambote, some opposition supporters celebrated prematurely, believing districts the President had not visited had been abandoned, when in fact they had misunderstood the campaign approach.
He explained that under the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) campaign timetable, each presidential candidate is allocated five campaign days in every province.
Mr. Haambote said President Hichilema strategically divided those five days into separate phases instead of using them all during a single visit.
In a statement issued to ZNBC News, he likened the President's return visits to what military planners describe as consolidation or mopping-up operations, ensuring that no strategically important areas are left uncovered before polling day.
Mr. Haambote also praised President Hichilema's endurance, saying the Head of State has maintained a demanding campaign schedule despite being over 60 years old.
He said the President's pace throughout the campaign would be challenging even for many younger politicians.
Source: ZNBC News