Second independence is here, says Brian Mundubile as he casts his vote

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP)Presidential Candidate Brian Mundubile has cast his vote atOlympia Park Secondary School. Addressing the media at the polling station briefly beforeleaving, Mundubile said Zambians should start celebrating whathe called a second independence. “I have just cast my vote. That vote means restoration of peaceand unity,” he said. “That […]

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP)
Presidential Candidate Brian Mundubile has cast his vote at
Olympia Park Secondary School.

Addressing the media at the polling station briefly before
leaving, Mundubile said Zambians should start celebrating what
he called a second independence.

“I have just cast my vote. That vote means restoration of peace
and unity,” he said.

“That vote means empowerment of youths. That vote means
empowerment of….”

“This is indeed our second independence and I want every
Zambian to celebrate.
Thank you very much,” he said.

He encouraged those that have not yet voted to do so, saying
the country needs their votes as well.

Throughout the campaign period, Mundubile positioned the 2026
election as a national reset. His central message has been that
Zambia must restore the rule of law, protect freedoms, and
rebuild an economy that works for ordinary citizens.

At rallies and public meetings across the country, he
repeatedly told supporters that the country was at a crossroads
and needed leadership committed to unity rather than division.

“The rule of law is at stake,” he said on multiple occasions.
“We must return to a Zambia where institutions are respected,
where citizens can speak freely, and where no one is above the
law.”

He linked the call for peace and unity to everyday issues
affecting households. According to Mundubile, restoring peace
was not only about stability during elections, but about
creating an environment where businesses can operate, young
people can find jobs, and communities can live without fear of
intimidation.

On youth empowerment, he argued that young Zambians had been
left behind for too long. He told crowds that his government
would prioritize skills training, entrepreneurship, and access
to capital so that young people could become job creators
rather than job seekers.

“That vote means empowerment of youths,” he repeated in Lusaka
on Thursday, echoing a line that featured prominently in his
campaign speeches.

Mundubile said throughout the campaign that Zambia’s economy
needed bold action. He criticized what he described as poor
management of public resources and pledged to run a government
anchored on accountability, transparency, and service delivery.

He told voters that a working economy was central to restoring
dignity. That meant reducing the cost of living, stabilizing
prices, and ensuring that public services such as health and
education were adequately funded and accessible.

He also emphasized constitutionalism. At several campaign stops
he said Zambia must return to respecting the Constitution and
allowing independent institutions to function without
interference.

“Freedom of expression must be restored,” he said during a
Lusaka rally last month. “People must be free to criticize, to
debate, and to participate without fear.”

The NRPUP leader further promised to fight corruption and to
ensure that government contracts and appointments were done on
merit. He said this would help rebuild public trust and attract
investment.

Southern Province has around 1,103,275 registered voters.
Earlier reports from Monze, Choma and Kalomo indicated shorter
queues and faster processing compared to other provinces where
long lines were observed.

Mundubile did not elaborate further on the turnout figures, but
urged all registered voters, including those in Southern
Province, to turn out before polls close.

Returning to his main message, Mundubile framed Thursday’s vote
as historic. He called it “our second independence” and said it
represented a chance for Zambians to reclaim ownership of their
democratic future.

He thanked citizens for the support shown to NRPUP during the
campaign and appealed for calm as results are counted.

“Let us vote peacefully,” he said. “Let us respect each other.
And let us celebrate this moment together because it belongs to
all Zambians.”

He ended his brief remarks by once again urging those still at
home to go to polling stations.

“The country needs your vote,” he said. “Every vote counts in
deciding the direction of our nation for the next five years.”

Polling stations across Zambia opened at 06:00 hours. More than
8 million voters are registered to elect the President, 156
Members of Parliament, and thousands of councilors. Counting is
expected to begin after polls close in the evening.