DISABILITY ACTIVIST REPORTS NRPUP PRESIDENT TO POLICE OVER SELF-DECLARED ELECTION VICTORY

Tensions surrounding the 2026 general elections escalated on Friday when disability civil rights activist Jonah Sialumano officially reported National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) President Brian Mundubile to the police. Speaking to journalists outside the Monze Central Police Station, Mr. Sialumano asserted that Mr. Mundubile's self-declared election victory constitutes a direct breach of Zambia's electoral code of conduct and poses a severe threat to national peace and public safety. The controversy stems from premature victory announcements made by the opposition leader amidst ongoing vote tabulations across the country. Mr. Sialumano criticized the move as reckless political posturing, warning that unverified claims can easily provoke volatile reactions among anxious citizens and supporters. He further urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to take decisive punitive measures, including a possible suspension, to deter other political actors from undermining lawful electoral administration. Echoing these concerns, the Zambia Federation of the Blind joined the condemnation, describing the self-pronouncement as deeply misleading and destabilizing. Federation leadership emphasized that institutional integrity must be safeguarded during delicate transitional periods, calling on all political players to exercise maximum restraint and await official tallies compiled through transparent channels. The police report highlights the growing friction between impatient political camps and statutory bodies tasked with verifying ballot outcomes. Legal experts note that under Zambian electoral laws, only the ECZ holds the exclusive mandate to announce official results, making premature declarations legally contentious and socially perilous. As security forces maintain vigilance nationwide, civil society groups continue to press for accountability to prevent any escalation of post-election friction.