Mundubile names Northern Province official in ballot claim

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has named a senior Northern Province official in connection with what he alleges was the unlawful movement of ballot boxes during the presidential count, as he pressed his claim to…

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has named a senior Northern Province official in connection with what he alleges was the unlawful movement of ballot boxes during the presidential count, as he pressed his claim to have won Thursday’s election.

Addressing the nation, Mundubile said his party’s parallel voter tabulation indicated he had won at presidential, parliamentary and local government level, and accused unnamed officials of orchestrating delays designed to manipulate the outcome.

“According to the results received and compiled through our parallel voter tabulation, PVT, based on information transmitted to us from polling stations and totalling centres across the country, our tabulation indicates that we have won this election,” he said.

Mundubile said well-known senior government officials in Northern Province were involved in the illegal movement of ballot boxes, and directed a specific warning at one official by name.

“I would like to issue a timely warning to my dear sister, Deputy PS Undi in Kasama, who has been mentioned in this particular case. So my dear sister Undi, stop what you are doing. Let the will of the Zambian people prevail,” he said.

The reference appeared to be to Beauty Undi-Phiri, Northern Province’s acting permanent secretary, who separately confirmed this week that Government had set a target date to reopen Chikokola Bridge in Kasama District. Undi-Phiri had not publicly responded to Mundubile’s allegation at the time of publication.

Mundubile’s claim comes against a wider backdrop of reported incidents around the count. He said members of the military had taken control of certain totalling centres in Mufulira, where Gen 20 forms, the official results declaration documents completed at constituency level, were allegedly being removed.

“These reports must be addressed immediately,” he said.

He also raised concern over reported incidents involving ballot boxes in Chawama, Matero and Mandevu constituencies, saying any allegation of boxes being unlawfully removed, stolen, interfered with or transported outside established procedures should be investigated immediately and transparently.

“Those responsible, if these allegations are established, must be held accountable under the law,” he said.

In North-Western Province, Mundubile said returning and presiding officers had been instructed to stop issuing results and Gen 20 forms, a claim that, if confirmed, would represent a further disruption to the constitutionally mandated counting process.

He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to preserve every ballot box, Gen 20 form and other electoral record, maintain the chain of custody, and allow accredited party agents and observers to carry out their lawful duties.

“No ballot box should be diverted from a legally prescribed chain of custody,” he said.

Mundubile framed the continued delay in announcing results as cause for concern rather than a routine part of the counting process.

“We therefore view the continued delay in the transparent announcement and verification of presidential results with grave concern. The pattern of reports reaching us raises legitimate fears that this delay could create an opportunity for interference with or manipulation of the results,” he said.

He demanded the immediate publication of results in accordance with the law and called for all stakeholders to be given access to relevant electoral records so the outcome could be independently verified.

Despite the pointed allegations, Mundubile appealed to his party’s agents, supporters and the wider public to remain peaceful and to operate within the law, saying protection of the vote should not extend to violence or confrontation with security personnel.

President Hakainde Hichilema, for his part, said his camp continued to receive encouraging results as the count proceeded, and made no direct reference to Mundubile’s allegations.

“We continue to receive encouraging results and reports of peace, unity and solidarity across our country as the votes come in. There is much in this moment to be grateful for,” Hichilema said, urging Zambians to await the official outcome rather than celebrate early.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has not issued a public response to the specific allegation concerning Northern Province officials. ECZ chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis has repeatedly stressed that only the Commission holds legal authority to announce and declare results, warning that premature declarations by candidates constitute an offence under Section 89(1) of the Electoral Process Act.

The allegation against a named provincial official adds a new dimension to a count already marked by a brief nationwide suspension of results announcements, reports of violence at several tallying centres, and competing claims of victory from the two leading candidates. Zambians continue to await ECZ’s official declaration, with the commission’s own roadmap pointing toward an announcement by Monday.