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

7 Views 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 […]

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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.