ECZ bars Binwell Mpundu from results centre over threat video

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has revoked former Nkana member of parliament Binwell Mpundu’s accreditation to access the National Results Centre in Lusaka, citing public safety concerns just a day before the country goes to the polls. Chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro…

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has revoked former Nkana member of parliament Binwell Mpundu’s accreditation to access the National Results Centre in Lusaka, citing public safety concerns just a day before the country goes to the polls. Chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro confirmed the decision in a statement, saying it was taken in the interest of public safety and security under Section 77(6) of the Electoral Process Act and Paragraph 11(1)(c) of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The revocation follows a video attributed to Mpundu circulating widely on social media, in which he was alleged to have made threats indicating he was ready to kill during the election. Mpundu had initially suggested the clip was artificial intelligence-generated, a claim he later acknowledged was false.

Kasaro said statements of this nature raise serious concern because they carry the potential to incite violence, create public unrest and undermine the peaceful conduct of the electoral process. He said the commission had accredited Mpundu following his nomination by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, submitted in a letter dated July 30.

“The commission had accredited Mr Mpundu following his nomination by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity in a letter dated 30th July, 2026, submitted by the party secretary-general introducing nominees for accreditation to the National Results Centre,” Kasaro said.

He urged all electoral stakeholders to remain peaceful and follow the law, warning against statements, threats or conduct that may incite violence, cause public unrest or compromise public safety. The commission, he added, would not hesitate to take appropriate action against any accredited person whose conduct threatens the integrity, security or peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

State House weighed in separately, describing the episode as troubling and warning that incitement to kill cannot be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric. Chief communications specialist Clayson Hamasaka said no political disagreement is worth a single life, and that leaders bear moral responsibility regardless of party affiliation.

“Zambia is bigger than any candidate, any party and any election,” Hamasaka said in a statement. “Let us protect our peace and, above all, protect human life.”

Hamasaka pointed to the shifting explanations around the video as part of the concern. He said the remarks were initially attributed to artificial intelligence before that explanation gave way to acknowledgement that the footage was genuine.

“Artificial intelligence did not put those words on the national stage. Leaders did. And artificial intelligence cannot take responsibility. Only leaders can do that,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Graphel Musamba has separately directed officers to remain professional and impartial in the run-up to voting, saying the police service would act firmly against anyone found committing electoral offences or disturbing public order, regardless of political affiliation. He said security has been reinforced nationwide, with mobile patrols, checkpoints and rapid response teams deployed to safeguard polling stations, electoral materials and officials.

Traditional leaders have also lent their voice to the calls for calm. Chiefs Chisunka and Chimense of the Ushi people in Mansa District said the current campaign period had been largely peaceful, with only isolated incidents of violence, a marked contrast to what they described as bloodshed and political violence in previous election cycles.

“During the last regime, we saw a lot of bloodshed, people were hacked with pangas, people killing each other especially during campaigns,” Chisunka said. “But during the term of office of Hakainde Hichilema, I think we have seen a reduction of these violences.”

Mpundu had been nominated to access the results centre as part of NRPUP’s slate of accredited representatives. His removal from that list does not affect his standing within the party, but it does mean he will not be permitted to enter the facility where results will be collated and announced once voting concludes tomorrow.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority has issued its own guidance in the same period, reminding stations that election-day coverage must remain accurate, balanced and free of speculation. Director-general Webster Malido said broadcasters should not air campaign interviews or predictions of outcomes on polling day itself, and that results should only be reported once officially announced by the commission.

The developments come as the country prepares for what officials across parties have described as a broadly peaceful campaign period, despite scattered incidents including the Mpundu video and a handful of arrests connected to alleged vote-buying and card collection in Eastern Province. Whether the results centre revocation prompts any formal response from NRPUP or from Mpundu himself remains to be seen as polling day approaches.

For now, the commission’s position is that accreditation is a privilege tied to conduct, not an entitlement, and that it will continue reviewing the status of any accredited individual whose actions raise questions about the safety of the process. Voting begins tomorrow at 06:00 hours and closes at 18:00 hours across the country’s polling stations.