UPND asks Catholic Church to cancel candlelight prayers slated for August 12
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has written to the Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka requesting the cancellation of a planned candlelight prayer programme scheduled for August 12, 2026, a day before the General Elections.
In a letter addressed to Father Felix Banda, UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda expressed concern that the event could be misconstrued as political due to its timing and symbolism.
Imenda said that while prayer and candlelighting are part of the Christian tradition, holding such an event on the eve of the elections raises serious concerns.
“Our serious concern which needs your urgent attention is that while prayer is key in our Christian Nation at such a critical moment, the timing, the activity of lighting candles and linking such an activity to politics and peace arouses serious anxiety,” the letter stated.
He further noted that a candle and a lamp are official symbols submitted to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) by some political parties contesting in the 2026 General Elections.
“Simply put, the temptation is that the planned activity may arouse and attract political party members using a candle or lamp as their symbol to make it a political procession,” Imenda stated.
He added that such a development could create political anxiety among church members and citizens who do not subscribe to political parties whose symbols include a candle or a lamp.
According to Imenda, the planned undertaking risks giving the event political overtones rather than maintaining its intended religious character, as it may be associated with official political symbols used by parties participating in the 2026 General Elections.
© TV Yatu | Noel Iyombwa | August 7, 2026.