Zambia: Mundubile seeks to overturn election result in court

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile announced on Wednesday his plans to contest the recent presidential election results in court. The electoral commission had declared incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema the victor, securing a second five-year term in office. President Hichilema had been in power since 2021. The election was marred by allegations of interference, as well as the arrest of opposition figures, leading to the incumbent seeking legal action against the outcome.

Mundubile highlighted several irregularities and issues with the election process, stating that his campaign had documented serious concerns surrounding the conduct, counting, transmission, and declaration of results. Speaking from an undisclosed location, Mundubile warned that his campaign had been under protection due to threats. He secured 38% of the votes cast, while President Hichilema garnered 60%.

Although the voting process itself was largely peaceful, 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, were arrested on the night of the election. The government attributed these arrests to a raid against militia activity. Mundubile's National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) claimed that gunfire was exchanged during the raid on the opposition figures' homes and refuted any association with militias.

Counting of votes was interrupted for extended periods on Friday following reports of attacks on polling officials and stolen ballots. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed concern over the arrests of opposition members and urged authorities to cease arbitrary detentions and respect the constitutional rights of those detained.

Additionally, the European Union's electoral observer mission raised concerns about transparency, noting that during the tabulation process, observers frequently observed extended breaks in almost half of the locations, suggesting that returning officers were waiting for instructions from headquarters before announcing the results.