Zambia: Zambia Opposition Leader Claims Election Victory Amid Reports of Violence

What the report says

Zambia’s presidential race remained unsettled on Friday as opposition figure Brian Mundubile said his party’s parallel vote count showed him ahead, while incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema said his team was seeing encouraging signs but stopped short of declaring victory. The reports came as the Electoral Commission of Zambia continued official counting and verification after the vote, with both camps urging supporters to stay calm.

According to the 263Chat report distributed by AllAfrica, Mundubile, who leads the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, pressed the election body to release results quickly and allow parties and observers access to records needed to check the outcome. He argued that delays could open space for interference and cited alleged irregularities raised by his party.

Those concerns included claims that military personnel had taken control of some tallying centres in Mufulira, that certain result forms had been removed, and that there were problems involving ballot boxes in Chawama and Matero. He also said election officials in North-Western Province had been told to stop issuing results and forms. Mundubile called for ballot materials and documents to be preserved.

Hichilema, meanwhile, urged patience, unity and peaceful conduct while waiting for the official declaration. The situation underscored the importance of transparent counting and public trust in Zambia’s electoral process, especially as results from a closely watched national vote were still being verified.