Mark an “X” clearly in box of a candidate of your choice — Mundubile
NRPUP Presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile says nothing must be allowed to introduce confusion into the electoral process, “At this critical hour”.
He says although the Electoral Commission of Zambia says any mark in the ballot papers would be deemed as a valid vote, Zambians have for a long time understood that placing an “X” in the box against a candidate of their choice is what amounts to a valid vote.
Mundubile further says ECZ’s own voter education material has an “X” as an only mark for a valid vote.
Addressing the nation last evening, Mundubile said he is concerned with ECZ Chief Electoral Officer’s statement suggesting that a tick, would equally be counted as valid.
“Nothing must be allowed to introduce confusion, or uncertainty into the electoral process. I therefore wish to raise three matters that require urgent attention from the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Zambia Police Service, and all institutions charged with safeguarding our democracy.
“First, we must not create confusion about how Zambians mark their ballot papers. For many years, Zambians have understood the simple institution that when you enter the polling station booth, you identify the candidate of your choice and place an X in the appropriate box,” Mundubile argues.
He adds: “The Electoral Commission’s own voter education material, continues to tell citizens that the correct way of marking the ballot papers is by placing an X in the square corresponding to the candidate of their choice.”
Mundubile has wondered why the Electoral Commission of Zambia has decided to introduce a tick or any other mark as a valid mark, in the electoral process.
“We are therefore concerned by the introduction at this late stage, of messages suggesting that, voters should now use a tick, or some other mark. They question is; why introduce uncertainty only days before an election?
“An election is not a time to experiment with voter instructions. We are therefore asking the Electoral Commission of Zambia to maintain a clear, uniform and familiar message to the people of Zambia, mark an X clearly in the box of a candidate of your choice,” he says.
He cites law that according to him clearly guides on what amounts to a valid vote.
“The regulation that governs the voting process, and in particular, regulation 33(d) underscores what will amount to a valid voting mark and this mark is an X.
“We are therefore very surprised that ECZ is coming up with other marks that may not be necessarily provided for, under the regulation. In clear terms it prescribes that voting shall be done via crossing,” Mundubile says.
He says an “X” in the box corresponding with the voter’s choice is what amounts to a valid vote.
“This is the valid mark [X]. Anything departing from this practice is an invalid or spoiled vote. That is the law, that is what the statute provides.
“So like I said earlier, the last minute changes, as announced by the Chief Electoral Officer points to arbitrariness in the administration of elections,” says Mundubile.
-TV Yatu | David Kashiki | August 10, 2026.