Makebi demands suspension of presidential results, cites ‘systemic tampering’ in Lusaka, Copperbelt

10 Views The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential running mate Makebi Zulu has demanded that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) immediately stop announcing presidential results, accusing officials of presiding over widespread manipulation during the vote count. In a live broadcast, Zulu said evidence collected by the NRPUP and its alliance […]

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The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential running mate Makebi Zulu has demanded that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) immediately stop announcing presidential results, accusing officials of presiding over widespread manipulation during the vote count.

In a live broadcast, Zulu said evidence collected by the NRPUP and its alliance partners showed what he called a coordinated effort to compromise the presidential election.

He wants the commission to go back to the basics before releasing any more figures.

“ECZ must do a polling-station-by-polling-station reconciliation using the original Gen-20 forms before proceeding with further announcements,” he said.

Zulu listed several constituencies where his party says problems were observed. He named Matero, Kalulushi, Bwanamkubwa, Chawama, Kabwata and Kanyama, covering Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt provinces.

He alleged the issues include Gen-20 forms that have gone missing or were stolen, interference from security personnel, and pressure on polling staff.

On the integrity of the process, he said:
“An election is not free merely because citizens were permitted to cast ballots. The process must remain free and fair through voting, counting, tallying, verification, and final declaration.”

The Gen-20 is the official results sheet signed at polling stations and used to compile final totals. Zulu argued the ECZ must account for every original copy.

He said when party agents spot a mismatch between what ECZ announces and what their Gen-20 shows, counting must stop until it is sorted out.

“When an agent identifies a discrepancy between figures being presented by ECZ and the Gen-20 forms in that agent’s possession, prudence requires that the process pause, the relevant documentation be examined, and the discrepancy reconciled before proceeding,” he said.

The NRPUP running mate also took aim at turnout numbers reported from Southern Province, claiming some figures appeared inflated. He is calling on ECZ to release polling-station-level data so parties can cross-check independently.

Zulu further accused officials at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre of intimidating accredited agents.

He said some were threatened with loss of accreditation after raising questions or asking to verify documents.

“Accreditation cannot simultaneously be permission to participate and a weapon with which to silence participation. An agent who asks a legitimate question is not disrupting the process,” he said.

He warned the commission against rushing through contested results.
“Do not rush disputed results. Reconcile them. Do not demand blind acceptance. Produce the documentary record,” he said.

Zulu also spoke about the reported detention of opposition members and legal practitioners, including UNIP president Bishop Trevor Mwamba and lawyer George Chisanga. He urged police to make public where they are being held and to allow access to lawyers and relatives.

He appealed to local and international observers, civil society, churches and diplomats to closely monitor the verification and tallying stage.

He ended by calling for calm.
“We urge members of the public to remain peaceful, document any suspected irregularities and reject violence.”

The ECZ is continuing with the national tally as of Saturday.
The allegations raised by Zulu had not, in the statement provided, been independently verified.