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National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) leader, Brian Mundubile, has claimed victory in Zambia’s presidential election, citing his party’s parallel vote tabulation, while incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema said his camp was receiving “encouraging results” but stopped short of declaring victory.
Mundubile said in statement addressed to the nation, dated August 14, and broadcast on his official Facebook page, that results compiled by the NRPUP through its Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT), based on information from polling stations and totalling centres across the country, showed he had won the election.
He raised concerns about delays in the announcement and verification of presidential results, saying the situation could create opportunities for interference or manipulation.
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Mundubile called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to immediately publish results in accordance with the law and allow stakeholders access to electoral records needed to independently verify the outcome.
The NRPUP leader also cited what he described as reports of electoral irregularities from several parts of the country.
He alleged that military personnel had taken control of some totalling centres in Mufulira and that Gen 20 forms, which record polling-station results, were being removed.
Mundubile also referred to reported incidents involving ballot boxes in the Chawama and Matero constituencies, saying any claims that ballot boxes had been stolen, unlawfully removed, interfered with or transported outside established procedures should be investigated.
He further alleged that returning and presiding officers in North-Western Province had been instructed to stop issuing results and Gen 20 forms. He also raised concerns over the alleged involvement of a senior government official in the movement of ballot boxes in Northern Province.
The allegations could not immediately be independently verified.
Mundubile urged the ECZ to preserve all ballot boxes, Gen 20 forms and other electoral records, maintain the chain of custody and allow accredited party agents and observers to carry out their legal duties.
He also called for results to be published at polling-station and constituency level so that announced figures could be reconciled with the original electoral records.
Hichilema, in a statement following Thursday’s vote, said his camp was continuing to receive what he described as encouraging results, while urging Zambians to remain patient as the official count continued.
“We continue to receive encouraging results and reports of peace, unity and solidarity across our country as the votes come in. There is much in this moment to be grateful for,” Hichilema said.
Unlike Mundubile, Hichilema did not claim victory and called on voters to await the official announcement.
“Let us remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote,” he said.
Mundubile also urged his supporters, party agents and other citizens to remain peaceful and operate within the law, saying efforts to protect the vote should not involve violence or confrontation with security forces.
The competing claims put the focus on the ECZ, which is responsible for verifying and announcing the official presidential results.
Mundubile said any discrepancies between the official results and figures recorded at polling stations should be addressed by making the relevant electoral records available for public reconciliation.
“The people of Zambia voted. Their decision must be respected,” he said.
Zambia held its presidential and general elections on Thursday, with the official results expected to determine whether Hichilema secures another term or Mundubile’s challenge succeeds.
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