Mundubile rejects Zambia election results, vows legal challenge

NRPUP president Brian Mundubile has rejected Zambia's announced 2026 presidential election results, saying his party does not believe they accurately reflect the outcome of the electoral process and will challenge disputed results through the courts.

In a statement following the declaration of the results, Mundubile said the NRPUP had documented what it considered irregularities involving the security, transportation and handling of ballot papers and other electoral materials.

He also alleged discrepancies between figures recorded at individual polling stations and results subsequently announced, saying the party had gathered documentary and other evidence to support its concerns.

"The results announced last night are not results that we accept as a true reflection of what took place across this election," Mundubile said.

He said the NRPUP would submit its evidence to the relevant legal institutions within the prescribed period and pursue challenges where it believed there were lawful grounds to do so.

"We will challenge those results for which we believe there are lawful grounds to do so," he said.

Mundubile nevertheless said the number of votes secured by the NRPUP demonstrated significant public support for the opposition party and pledged to continue representing its supporters.

The opposition leader also rejected allegations linking the NRPUP, its campaign or individuals associated with the party to an alleged insurgency or threat to national security.

He said the party's campaign had been based on peaceful democratic participation and had never advocated violence or sought to seize power through force.

Concerns over arrests and alleged violence

Mundubile also raised concerns over the detention of his campaign manager, Davies Chisopa, calling for what he described as an immediate, lawful and transparent explanation from authorities.

He said that if Chisopa was suspected of committing an offence, authorities should provide evidence and allow the allegations to be tested before a court while respecting his rights under Zambian law.

Mundubile further said he was currently under protection after allegedly receiving threats to his life.

He also gave an account of an incident at his residence, alleging that armed men entered the property and fired shots while he and others were unarmed and hiding for fear of their lives.

According to Mundubile, former Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot during the incident, which he said he personally witnessed.

Mundubile said Kafwaya was subsequently reported missing and that his family had not received an adequate explanation regarding his whereabouts or condition.

He called on authorities to disclose whether Kafwaya was being held by any state agency and, if so, explain the legal basis for his detention and allow his family and lawyers access to him.

If Kafwaya was not in state custody, Mundubile said authorities had a responsibility to establish his whereabouts and investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Turning back to the election, Mundubile said the NRPUP had identified what it believed could amount to electoral manipulation and ballot tampering.

Among the issues raised were electoral documentation, the so-called "G20 papers", the transportation and security of ballot materials and discrepancies allegedly identified by party representatives at polling stations.

He said the allegations should be resolved through evidence and established legal procedures rather than political rhetoric.

Mundubile also appealed to regional and international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to remain engaged with developments in Zambia.

He argued that allegations of political violence, intimidation, detention and irregularities surrounding the election should continue to receive scrutiny even after the declaration of the results.

Despite rejecting the presidential outcome, Mundubile urged NRPUP supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

"There will be no call from me for violence. There will be no call from the NRPUP for retaliation," he said.

He urged supporters not to allow anger or provocation to undermine what he described as a peaceful democratic movement.

Mundubile said the NRPUP would provide further details of its intended legal action in due course, while reiterating its commitment to pursuing its grievances through lawful channels.

The opposition leader concluded by calling for peace as his party seeks answers over the disputed election results, arrests, alleged detentions and other incidents surrounding the conclusion of the electoral process.