Gary Nkombo votes in torn shirt that became a symbol of defiance

5 Views Independent parliamentary candidate for Mazabuka Central, Gary Nkombo, cast his ballot this afternoon at Ndeke Primary School wearing the same black shirt that was torn during an attack on him in May. The right sleeve of the shirt was ripped. It is the same garment Nkombo was wearing when he was confronted by […]

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Independent parliamentary candidate for Mazabuka Central, Gary Nkombo, cast his ballot this afternoon at Ndeke Primary School wearing the same black shirt that was torn during an attack on him in May.

The right sleeve of the shirt was ripped. It is the same garment Nkombo was wearing when he was confronted by United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres while filing his nomination papers at the Mazabuka Municipal Council offices earlier this year.

Nkombo went to the polling station with his wife and other family members.

The atmosphere at Ndeke Polling Station was peaceful on Thursday morning. Voters arrived steadily, were verified, and moved through the process without delays.

Speaking after he voted, Nkombo described the experience as orderly.

“My family and I voted today in a calm, orderly atmosphere,” he said. “This is what democracy should look like.”

He then turned to the next stage of the process. “Now we pray that same peace carries through counting,” he said.

He closed his remarks with a call for national unity. “Remember, we are One Zambia, One Nation. God bless Mother Zambia,” he said.

After casting his ballot, Nkombo shook hands with Vincent Lilanda, the UPND candidate contesting the same Mazabuka Central seat.

The exchange was brief and took place at the polling station in full view of voters, party agents and electoral officials.

Reflecting on the campaign

Earlier in the campaign, Nkombo thanked Mazabuka residents for their support since he entered the race as an independent.

“From the day we filed our nomination papers, through every gathering, every conversation, every challenge and every mile travelled, this has been a journey we have travelled together,” he said.

He referred to his campaign as the “Candlelight Movement” and said its progress was due to the people.

“What an incredible journey this Candlelight Movement has been, and it has been possible because of YOU,” he said.

“Thank you for showing up. Thank you for your courage, your dedication and your unwavering commitment to the journey we began together. Every handshake, every conversation, every prayer and every word of encouragement has been part of this story.”

Nkombo said the candle has come to represent something larger for the constituency.

“The Mazabuka candle continues to burn bright; a symbol of hope, resilience and the power of people coming together around a shared vision,” he said.

Looking ahead

As voting day arrived, he urged residents to hold on to the values that defined the campaign.

“As we pause to reflect on this journey, we look back with gratitude and ahead with hope,” he said.

“Whatever tomorrow brings, may Mazabuka remain united. May we continue to choose peace, respect, love and the spirit of togetherness that makes our community stronger.”

He framed the election as a collective effort.
“This has been our journey. Thank you for walking it with us. Tomorrow, we vote for a future that gives peace, unity, love and progress a chance,” he said recently.

Context of the torn shirt

The ripped shirt drew attention in May when Nkombo was attacked during the filing of nominations. Images of the damaged sleeve circulated widely and supporters adopted it as a symbol of resilience.

On Thursday, by wearing it again to vote, Nkombo signaled continuity with that moment without making further comment about the incident.

Election officials at Ndeke said voting materials arrived on time and party agents were present with copies of the register. Security personnel were deployed but did not interfere with the process.

Zambians are voting today for the presidency, 220 parliamentary seats and local government positions. More than 8 million voters are registered nationwide.

Polling stations opened at 06:00 and will close at 18:00. Counting will begin at each station thereafter in the presence of agents and observers.

In Mazabuka Central, turnout appeared steady through the afternoon. Voters at Ndeke and other centers in the district were processed quickly, with minimal queues reported by mid-day.

For Nkombo, the day marked both the end of a campaign and a personal return to the ballot. The torn shirt, once a record of confrontation, was on Thursday part of a quiet, routine act of voting.

“Let us keep the peace,” he said as he left the school grounds. “And let us keep Mazabuka united.”