WHY XAVIER CHUNGU WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE 2026 PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT DESPITE WITHDRAWING By: Thomas Mwale Former presidential candidate Xavier Franklin Chungu will remain on the ballot paper for the 13 August 2026 General Election despite withdrawing from the race, as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had already begun printing ballot papers when it […]

WHY XAVIER CHUNGU WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE 2026 PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT DESPITE WITHDRAWING

By: Thomas  Mwale

Former presidential candidate Xavier Franklin Chungu will remain on the ballot paper for the 13 August 2026 General Election despite withdrawing from the race, as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had already begun printing ballot papers when it received his formal notice of withdrawal.

The ECZ had set 6 July 2026 as the final deadline for candidate withdrawals.

Mr. Chungu announced his decision to withdraw on social media on 12 July 2026 before formally notifying the Commission in a letter dated 20 July 2026.

The ECZ received the letter on 21 July 2026, after ballot printing had commenced.

Following his withdrawal, Mr. Chungu endorsed National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile.

Mr. Chungu is the President of the Liberal Democrats Party (LDP) and served as Director General of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS) from 1991 to 2001 under former President Frederick Chiluba.

He is one of Zambia’s most recognizable former intelligence chiefs.

He has been in custody since 28 May 2026 and is awaiting trial in the High Court after his case was committed for trial.

He faces 11 criminal charges comprising seven counts under the State Security Act, three counts of sedition, and one count under the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act.

The charges stem from remarks allegedly made during an interview on That Zed Podcast, hosted by K Plus and Elson, in which prosecutors allege he disclosed information obtained through his former position without the written consent required by law.