Draft:National Executive Committee of the United Party for National Development

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is the key executive organ of the party, responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of party decisions. The NEC is elected by the National Management Committee every five years during the party's General Assembly, and it functions under the leadership of the party president.

The NEC comprises top officials, including the president, vice president, national chairperson, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, and national treasurer. These individuals, often referred to as the "Top Leadership," play crucial roles in steering the party's activities, setting strategic priorities, and coordinating the party's activities at various levels across the country.

The UPND NEC operates in close coordination with the National Management Committee, which is responsible for the broader governance and strategic direction of the party. The NEC's influence extends to various aspects of the party's operations, including electoral strategies, policy formulation, and organizational development. The NEC's work is supported by several specialized committees that focus on different areas of party activity.

The NEC's members hold significant power within the party, often simultaneously occupying important roles within Zambia's government and political landscape. The NEC meets regularly to discuss and decide on key issues facing the party and the nation, with decisions typically made through consensus.

Key members of the current NEC include:

• Hakainde Hichilema - President
• Mutale Nalumango - Vice President
• Collins Maoma - National Chairperson
• Butuke Imenda - Secretary-General
• Getrude Imenda - Deputy Secretary-General
• Watson Lumba - National Treasurer

The NEC is a vital component of the UPND's internal structure, playing a significant role in maintaining the party's unity, driving its policy agenda, and ensuring that the party remains responsive to the needs of its supporters and the broader Zambian population.

Composition of the NEC

The National Executive Committee is composed of 25 members, ensuring a diverse and representative leadership structure. The composition is designed to include members from various regions and with different areas of expertise. The NEC includes:

• The President
• Deputy President
• National Chairperson
• Secretary General
• Deputy Secretary
• Treasurer General
• Chairperson of Publicity and Information
• Chairperson – Elections and Campaign
• Chairperson – Strategy and Mobilization
• Chairperson – Youth Affairs
• Chairperson – Legal and Constitutional Affairs
• Chairperson – International Relations
• Chairperson – Defence
• Chairperson – Research (Nominee)
• National Co-ordinator (Nominee)
• Senior Advisor to the President (Nominee)
• Nine Nominees of the President

   These nominees are selected by the President, with consideration for factors such as regional representation, gender balance, and the inclusion of people with disabilities.

• Party Parliamentary Whip (Ex officio)

Functions of the National Executive Committee

The National Executive Committee is tasked with the following roles and responsibilities:

• Administration: The NEC acts as the administrative organ of the party, supervising the administration of the Secretariat.
• Establishing Organs: It has the authority to establish administrative organs and offices within the party, subject to ratification by the National Management Committee.
• General Powers: The NEC exercises all powers and functions delegated to the National Management Committee, subject to ratification by both the NMC and the UPND Constitution.