ONE disturbing feature of the campaign period is that political parties are talking loudly, but they are not speaking to their manifesto. We hear the opposition speak every day about how the UPND government has failed. We also hear the ruling party insist that the opposition has no agenda. But between these two positions, the Zambian voter is being denied the most important document in any serious election campaign. Elections are not supposed to be mere shouting contests or a competition of insults, slogans, propaganda and counter-propaganda. This campaign period is supposed to provide citizens with an opportunity to compare ideas, interrogate policy options and make informed choices about the future of their country. But they are not getting anything...