Zambia Rocked by Election Crisis: Hichilema and Mundubile Face Off Amid Irregularity Claims

Hakainde Hichilema has maintained a significant lead in Zambia’s presidential election, according to consolidated results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). With 135 out of the country’s 226 constituencies reported, Hichilema accumulated 1,544,140 votes, surpassing Brian Mundubile who garnered 1,030,662 votes, a lead of 513,478 votes. Earlier figures from 105 constituencies had also shown Hichilema leading with 1,056,812 votes (54.82%) against Mundubile’s 830,841 votes (43%). The ECZ reported a voter turnout of 56.36% from 2,793,053 registered voters in the covered constituencies, with 2,628,849 valid votes recorded. Hichilema demonstrated strong performances in areas such as Mufumbwe, Mazabuka Central, Bweengwa, and Kazungula North, while Mundubile led in constituencies like Nchanga, Lima, Chasefu South, Bahati, Vubwi, Kasenengwa, Chifubu, and Nchelenge. Other presidential candidates, including Harry Kalaba, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, and Fred M’membe, trailed with considerably fewer votes.

Amidst these ongoing result announcements, Makebi Zulu, the running mate for the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) and a key figure in the Tonse Alliance, has alleged widespread irregularities in the presidential election tallying process. Zulu has called for an immediate halt to the announcement of results and demanded a polling station by polling station reconciliation using the original Gen-20 forms, which are considered the official primary documents for aggregating results. He claimed that reports from across the country revealed a systemic effort to compromise the integrity of the presidential vote through security agency interference, missing result forms, and intimidation of electoral officers. Zulu specifically cited documented procedural irregularities in constituencies within Lusaka, Central, and Copperbelt provinces, including Matero, Kalulushi, Bwanamkubwa, Chawama, Kabwata, and Kanyama. He also raised concerns about inflated voter turnout in Southern Province and urged the ECZ to publish polling station data for independent reconciliation. Furthermore, Zulu accused ECZ officials of threatening accredited political party agents with revocation of their accreditation when they raised objections or requested document verification, asserting that such accreditation should not be used as a tool to silence participation.

The UPND Alliance, represented by Saviour Chishimba, has vehemently rejected these allegations, describing Zulu's critique as misplaced. The Alliance highlighted a perceived double standard, questioning Zulu's insistence on Gen-20 form verification now, given that his candidate, Brian Mundubile, publicly declared himself the winner within hours of polling based on his Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT). The UPND Alliance challenged Mundubile to disclose which Gen-20 forms he used for his declaration, how many were collected, from which polling stations, how they were transmitted and verified so quickly, and what mathematical basis existed for such an early national declaration. They argued that if Gen-20 verification is indispensable today, it was equally indispensable when Mundubile announced his victory, suggesting that the underlying documents for the Tonse Alliance’s own PVT also warrant investigation. The UPND Alliance reiterated that they have not declared President Hakainde Hichilema the winner and are awaiting the ECZ to fulfill its constitutional mandate. They referenced Hichilema's history of contesting and losing five presidential elections before winning the sixth in 2021, emphasizing that he never declared himself president despite past disputes and court challenges.

The electoral period has also been marked by numerous reports of attempted vote buying, intimidation, and interference with electoral processes. Mr. Nyirenda, for instance, alleged massive bribery by the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance in Lundazi, claiming to have personally witnessed over 100 motorbikes linked to the alliance stationed at a candidate’s residence on the afternoon before and on polling day. He also suspected collusion by some polling officials due to their hostile demeanor towards UPND members and called for a serious investigation into the Lundazi election outcome. In a separate incident, two ballot boxes, one containing Presidential ballots and the other for the National Assembly election, were allegedly stolen after violent activities erupted at a polling station on polling day as stakeholders prepared to commence the counting process. The Returning Officer declared the matter beyond their control and paused the announcement of results. Furthermore, some members of the UPND Alliance reportedly suffered physical violence, with one Alliance leader sustaining serious injuries after being attacked by what were described as “Tonse Alliance thugs” who invaded several polling stations in Luapula.

Saviour Chishimba appealed to the Church and civil society organizations to exercise responsibility, defend truth, peace, due process, and verified facts, cautioning against converting political allegations into established facts before evidence has been examined. He also urged the defense and security services to remain vigilant, professional, and politically neutral throughout this sensitive period, ensuring the protection of the electoral process, officials, citizens, and public order within the law. The UPND Alliance affirmed its respect for the ECZ as Zambia's sole institution constitutionally entrusted with conducting elections and declaring results, expecting the Tonse Alliance to demonstrate similar respect. For those possessing evidence of electoral malpractice or disputing the eventual result, the Constitution and laws of Zambia provide mechanisms for challenging an election. Separately, Mr. Zumani Zimba called for an urgent dialogue between Hakainde Hichilema and Brian Mundubile to form an Inclusive Government of National Unity and Reconciliation, advocating for national healing. However, this proposal faced immediate backlash from social media users who questioned why NRPUP was calling for unity without first addressing the controversy surrounding the unofficial results they circulated and conceding defeat.

The central question raised by Hon. Makebi Zulu’s own statement persists: If Gen-20 forms must be verified before anybody can know the result, which verified Gen-20 forms did Brian Mundubile use when he declared himself the winner? The call remains clear: “Produce them. Let ECZ count. Let ECZ verify. Let ECZ declare. Let Zambia remain peaceful. Zambia Forward, TOGETHER in UNITY.”