Mundubile tells Southern Province “we have not abandoned you” in final message before polls

139 Views National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has assured voters in Southern Province that his party has not forgotten them, in a statement released a day before Zambia goes to the polls. Mundubile said his campaign team was forced to cancel a planned tour of Southern Province, where they […]

139 Views

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has assured voters in Southern Province that his party has not forgotten them, in a statement released a day before Zambia goes to the polls.

Mundubile said his campaign team was forced to cancel a planned tour of Southern Province, where they had intended to meet residents and share their message. He attributed the cancellation to what he described as an environment of violence, intimidation and fear allegedly created by the ruling United Party for National Development.

“My brothers and sisters in Southern Province,” Mundubile said in the statement. “We were forced to cancel our tour of Southern Province, where we were scheduled to meet and engage with our fellow Zambians, because our friends in the UPND believe that they can only protect what they call their strongholds through violence, intimidation and fear.”

The NRPUP leader accused President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND administration of failing to deliver on promises made to Zambians. He argued that if the ruling party was confident in its record, it would welcome open political competition.

“If my brother, President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND genuinely believe they have delivered for the people, then they should not fear alternative voices. Let the people listen, compare and decide,” Mundubile said.

“You cannot claim to have served the people well and then be afraid of another political party having an audience with them,” he added.

Southern Province has historically been considered a UPND stronghold. The province delivered overwhelming support to President Hichilema in the 2021 general elections. That political reality has made campaigning there sensitive, with opposition parties often alleging restrictions on their movements while the ruling party maintains it is ensuring peace and order.

Mundubile sought to directly address that dynamic in his message, telling residents that the decision to cancel the tour was not an indication that his party was giving up on the region.

“To the people of Southern Province, we have not abandoned you. We have not forgotten you. We love you and we believe you deserve better,” he said.

The statement comes as political parties wrap up final activities ahead of Wednesday’s general elections. Zambia will vote for president, members of parliament and councilors on 13 August. The Electoral Commission of Zambia has said all materials have been dispatched and security agencies are on standby to ensure a peaceful process.

Mundubile’s comments reflect a broader theme in the final days of campaigning, with opposition parties alleging that the playing field has not been level, while the UPND has defended its record in office and called for a peaceful vote. President Hichilema has repeatedly urged Zambians to turn out and vote, and to respect the outcome.

The NRPUP, a relatively new political formation, has positioned itself as an alternative focused on national reconciliation and economic recovery. Mundubile has campaigned on issues of cost of living, youth unemployment and what he calls the need to restore dignity in politics.

Political analysts say Southern Province will again be closely watched on election day. While it remains a UPND base, opposition parties have argued that economic hardship could influence voter decisions even in traditional strongholds. Access to campaign platforms in the province has been a point of contention throughout the campaign period, with both sides trading accusations over conduct.

Civil society organizations have called on all parties to refrain from inflammatory language in the final hours before voting. The Human Rights Commission and the Zambia Council of NGOs have urged leaders to tell their supporters to maintain peace and to use legal channels to address any grievances.

The SADC Electoral Observation Mission and other international observers are also in the country. In meetings held on Monday, observer groups heard concerns from political and civil society actors about the environment for campaigning, inclusion and security.

As Zambia heads to the polls, Mundubile’s message adds to the chorus of last-minute appeals from party leaders. The focus now shifts to polling stations, where more than 7 million registered voters are expected to decide the next government.

ECZ has said voting will begin at 06:00 hours and that results will be announced once collation is complete at the National Results Centre in Lusaka. Security agencies have said they will not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation.

With hours to go before voting, the tone of political communication is expected to remain high. Whether that translates into turnout and a peaceful process will become clear when Zambians cast their ballots on Wednesday.