ECZ withdraws Binwell Mpundu’s access to National Results Centre over alleged threats

332 Views The Electoral Commission of Zambia has with immediate effect withdrawn accreditation granted to former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu, barring him from entering the National Results Centre during the election period. The decision was announced after a video that appeared online allegedly showed Mpundu making remarks about being prepared to kill during […]

332 Views

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has with immediate effect withdrawn accreditation granted to former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu, barring him from entering the National Results Centre during the election period. The decision was announced after a video that appeared online allegedly showed Mpundu making remarks about being prepared to kill during the election.

According to the Commission, the video raised serious concerns about public safety and the conduct of political actors in a sensitive phase of the electoral process. ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the remarks attributed to Mpundu could incite violence, create public unrest, and undermine efforts to hold a peaceful election. For that reason, the Commission determined that his continued access to the National Results Centre was no longer appropriate.

Kasaro said the Commission has a responsibility to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that all accredited persons observe standards of conduct that promote peace and order. He noted that access to the National Results Centre is a privilege extended to political parties and other stakeholders to enhance transparency, but that privilege is conditional on respect for the law and for public safety.

Mpundu had been cleared to access the centre following a nomination submitted by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity. The nomination letter was dated 30th July 2026. With the revocation now in effect, Mpundu will not be permitted entry to the facility for the duration of the election period.

The Commission said it had reviewed the circulating video and considered the potential impact of the statements on voters, polling staff, party agents, and the general public. Officials said that even the perception of a threat can be enough to create fear and disrupt participation, particularly in constituencies where tensions tend to run high during results management.

In a statement released after the decision, ECZ reminded all political parties, candidates, agents, observers and other accredited stakeholders of their obligation to conduct themselves peacefully. The Commission warned that any accredited person whose actions or utterances threaten the integrity, security or peaceful conduct of the electoral process will face similar action. That could include withdrawal of accreditation, referral to law enforcement agencies, or both, depending on the nature of the conduct.

The National Results Centre serves as the central point where results from polling stations are collated, verified and announced. Access is tightly controlled to prevent interference and to maintain public confidence in the process. Political parties are allowed to nominate representatives to observe proceedings, and those representatives are expected to act as monitors rather than participants in the counting and announcement of results.

Kasaro said the Commission remains committed to transparency but that transparency must not come at the expense of security. He urged political leaders to use their platforms to call for calm and to discourage rhetoric that could be interpreted as a call to violence. He added that Zambia’s electoral history shows how quickly isolated incidents can escalate if leaders do not take responsibility for their language.

The revocation comes at a time when the Commission is intensifying preparations for the announcement of results, with party agents and observers expected at the centre in large numbers. Security has been heightened around the facility, with police and other agencies deployed to manage access and to respond quickly to any disturbances.

Reaction to the decision has been mixed. Some stakeholders have welcomed the move as a necessary step to deter intimidation and to protect staff working at the centre. Others have called for due process and for all parties to be treated equally, regardless of political affiliation. The Commission said it would continue to apply its code of conduct consistently.

ECZ also appealed to the public and to media houses to avoid sharing content that could inflame tensions. Officials said that sharing unverified videos or making speculative commentary can contribute to misinformation and panic. Instead, they encouraged citizens to rely on official updates from the Commission and from security agencies.

The Commission reiterated that the electoral process belongs to the people of Zambia and that its credibility depends on the behavior of all participants. It said it would not hesitate to act where there is clear evidence that an individual’s conduct poses a risk to peace or to the lawful administration of elections.

With the polls approaching and results management about to begin, ECZ said its priority is to ensure that the National Results Centre remains a secure and neutral space. The withdrawal of Mpundu’s accreditation, it said, is part of broader measures to safeguard that environment and to send a clear message that threats of violence will not be tolerated during the election.

The Commission concluded by calling on all Zambians to participate peacefully, to respect the outcome of the process, and to support efforts aimed at maintaining stability before, during and after the announcement of results.