Suspending vote counting, announcement creates a dangerous vacuum, warns Mundubile

13 Views National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has condemned the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to suspend vote counting and announcement countrywide, warning that the move creates “a dangerous vacuum” that could undermine public trust in the 2026 election. Speaking in a video posted on his verified […]

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National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has condemned the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to suspend vote counting and announcement countrywide, warning that the move creates “a dangerous vacuum” that could undermine public trust in the 2026 election.

Speaking in a video posted on his verified social media handle on August 14, 2026, Mundubile said the suspension comes at a critical moment when Zambians expect transparency and closure.

“This suspension creates a dangerous vacuum in the country,” Mundubile said. “At a time when citizens have waited patiently to hear the outcome of their vote, any interruption without full openness breeds suspicion, rumor and instability.”

He called on election observers in the country to take note of what is happening and to demand transparency in the handling of results.

“To our domestic and international observers, your role has never been more important. Watch closely. Demand access. Demand that every ballot box, every GEN 20 form, every tally sheet is accounted for,” he said.

Mundubile also took aim at the ruling party, saying:

“The United Party for National Development knows it has lost this election. That is why this suspension of vote counting and announcement creates an opportunity for interfering with the results.”

He argued that acts of violence in a few isolated areas must not be used to justify halting the process nationwide. “We condemn violence wherever it occurs. But the act of violence in a few isolated areas must not be used to justify the suspension of the vote counting and announcement process countrywide. The majority of polling stations were peaceful. The majority of Zambians voted peacefully. Their will must be respected.”

This is after ECZ announced the nationwide suspension earlier on August 14 through a press release signed by ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis (SC).

According to the Commission, it had “noted with concern reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts.”

“The violence is targeted at Poll staff and in some instances has resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes,” Zaloumis stated.

“In view of the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Commission has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of results throughout the country in accordance with Section 67 (3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016. The Commission will review the suspension within 24 hours.”

ECZ did not name specific districts affected but said the safety of poll staff and the integrity of electoral materials were the immediate priorities. With 8.7 million registered voters and counting underway in all 226 constituencies, the suspension has paused the release of results already tallied at constituency level.

Mundubile said the delay itself is fueling the very instability ECZ says it wants to prevent.

“If the official results differ from the results recorded at polling stations, the answer is not secrecy. The answer is transparency,” he said. “Publish the results polling station by polling station, constituency by constituency. Allow party agents and observers to reconcile what was announced at the polling station with what appears at the totalling centre.”

He called on ECZ to preserve every ballot box and GEN 20 form, protect the chain of custody, and allow accredited agents to continue their work once counting resumes. He also appealed to security forces to remain impartial.

“Your loyalty is to the Constitution and the Republic of Zambia, not to any individual or political party,” Mundubile said. “Protect the people, protect electoral officials, protect the materials. Do not interfere with the democratic process.”

To NRPUP supporters he urged calm. “Protecting the vote does not mean violence. It means documenting results, preserving copies of lawful records, reporting irregularities through proper channels, and insisting peacefully on transparency.”

The suspension has drawn concern from analysts and civil society. Political analyst Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa said the 24-hour review period must be used to secure materials and communicate clearly with the public.

“The credibility of this election now rests on the safety of staff, the integrity of ballot papers, and the transparency of what happens next,” Sishuwa said.

The Law Society of Zambia also called for restraint, saying the suspension must be applied narrowly and proportionately, and that citizens have a constitutional right to have votes counted and announced without undue delay.

President Hakainde Hichilema, in a separate statement, did not address the suspension directly but urged calm. “Let us remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote,” he said.

Under the Electoral Process Act, ECZ has 72 hours from the close of polling to declare a presidential result. The Commission says it will review the suspension within 24 hours.

Mundubile closed his address by saying Zambia’s institutions are being tested. “Zambia is bigger than all of us. No temporary political advantage is worth damaging the institutions upon which our democracy depends. Let us defend the sovereign will of the Zambian people peacefully and lawfully.”

With counting paused and tensions high, attention now turns to whether security can be restored quickly enough for ECZ to resume, and whether all parties will accept the official results when they are finally announced.