Hours before the United Party for National Development- UPND, leader Hakainde Hichilema files in his nomination as a Presidential Candidate, no official statement has ever been released to indicate who the running mate.
Political partys have been in handled the nomination processes in secrecy, starting from the availing of the list of the adopted parliamentary candidates in all political partys to the issue of the running mate.
In a similar scenario, the Forum Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi only availed her running mate on the actual process of filing in. According to some of the supporters who accompanied Nawakwi, they didnt know who Dr Rev. Clement Mwanza is.
The UPND is said to be in a debacle as to who is suitable to run with HH, especially with the coming together of political partys like UDF and the Nevers Mumba led MMD faction to merge in an electoral pact with UPND. The UPND itself has two vice Presidents heading two different portfolios. The hierarchy of the party places both Vice Presidents on the same level, meaning either of them stands equal chance of running with HH.
However in the past few days, the name which has been prominent amongst those to run with HH was Late Republican President Micheal C. Satas widow, Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata. The party has been quiet over the issue, leading to the general publics continue making presumptions.
By Press time the UPND where scheduled to file in the Presidential and running mate nominations without any one knowing who the actual running mate is.