Zambia election: Mundubile moves against President Hichilema

Zambian opposition leader, Brian Mundubile has declared his intention to contest the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema through the judicial process.

The electoral commission on Tuesday declared Hichilema, 64, the winner of the August 13 election with about 60 per cent of the votes, while Mundubile secured 38 per cent.

The President is the leader of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, while his main challenger ran under the United Party for National Development.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mundubile said there were crucial questions to ascertain whether the constitutional requirements for a free, fair, transparent and credible election were met.

The candidate confirmed the documentation of “serious irregularities, inconsistencies and circumstances surrounding the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results.”

Mundubile, 55, a former Member of Parliament for Mporokoso, said compiled evidence would be presented before the appropriate judicial forum along with the petition.

The court will be asked to determine whether all votes were lawfully cast, counted and recorded, and whether polling-station results match constituency, provincial and national totals.

According to Mundubile, the decision to sue Hichilema was not out of bitterness but to protect the integrity of Zambia’s democracy and ensure legitimate votes are respected.

The electoral commission paused vote-counting last Friday due to incidents of violence and theft of ballot papers, while a heavy military presence limited monitoring by observers.

In its report, the European Union election observer mission noted that many electoral staff failed to record the results on the tally sheet as soon as they were announced.

“Observers reported extended breaks during the results tabulation process in almost half of observations.

“Returning officers seemed to wait and receive instructions before announcing results,” it reads.