# National Management Committee of the United Party for National Development

The National Management Committee (NMC) of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is the party's chief executive organ, responsible for overseeing the party's strategic direction and governance. The NMC is elected every five years during the party’s General Assembly and is responsible for electing the National Executive Committee for day-to-day decision-making.
The NMC includes key leadership positions such as the president, vice president, national chairperson, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, and national treasurer. These top positions, often referred to as the "Top Leadership," play a pivotal role in guiding the party's policies and activities.

## Composition

Members of the UPND National Management Committee must have been active members of the party for a specified number of years prior to their nomination, and a certain portion of the committee is expected to uphold gender parity principles. The National Management Committee consists of:
* The core leadership, including the President, Vice Presidents, National Chairperson, Secretary-General, Deputy Secretaries-General, and Treasurer-General;
* Additional elected members;
* Ex officio members from the UPND Women's League, UPND Youth League, and other relevant structures;
* Co-opted members, if necessary.
The size and structure of the National Management Committee may change during national conferences or when new amendments are adopted by the party.

## Election Process

Members of the UPND National Management Committee (NMC) are elected at the party's General Assembly, which serves as the highest decision-making body of the party. The election process is guided by the party's constitution and aims to ensure inclusivity and fairness. The UPND has established clear rules regarding the election of its leadership, with a focus on gender parity and regional representation.

### Nominations

Nominations for the NMC positions are initiated at the grassroots level, beginning with local UPND branches. Branches nominate candidates for various leadership positions, including the positions of President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-General, Treasurer-General, and other key roles in the NMC. These nominations are then submitted to the provincial councils, where they are consolidated into a provincial slate of nominees.
Provincial nominees for the NMC are forwarded to the National Congress, where a final list of candidates is established. In keeping with the UPND's commitment to gender parity, at least 50% of the nominees must be women. If necessary, adjustments are made to ensure gender balance on the final list.

### Campaigning

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has a structured National Management Committee (NMC) that plays a crucial role in the party's operations. The election process for the NMC takes place during the party's Elective General Assembly. In the most recent assembly, over 2,900 delegates were involved in voting for new committee members, ensuring democratic representation across all provinces of Zambia. These delegates also voted to approve amendments to the UPND Constitution.
Nominations for NMC positions are made ahead of the General Assembly, with several candidates contesting for positions such as party president, vice presidents, secretary general, and other committee roles. In previous assemblies, candidates who withdrew from the race cited personal reasons. The assembly is not only a platform for electing leaders but also for discussing critical amendments to the party's constitution.
The NMC is vital for guiding the UPND in its mission, particularly in preparing for national elections and upholding the party's democratic values.
The UPND leadership has emphasized that internal elections should not create divisions within the party but should rather strengthen it. This principle is reflected in the party’s official documents, which warn against divisive electoral strategies and encourage members to prioritize the unity and future success of the UPND.