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.
Mundubile is behind in all things and this is not ignorance but dullness. I have been voting and conducting elections since 1983 and ECZ has been telling and teaching us all these things. Voters are not the same, some don’t even know how to read or write, they can’t even see or write the x Mundubile is talking about. The whole essence here is to make voting as voter friendly as possible and that can only be achieved through any mark as long as it’s within the box, or on the party symbol or on the name or portrait of that particular candidate including Mundubile. The ballot only becomes invalid if it overlaps into the box of another candidate because no voter is allowed to make two choices or more on one ballot. There is nothing new this time that we have not seen or heard before, the way we shall vote now is exactly how we have been voting all along. You can write a zero, mark an x, draw a dog, human head, write any letter or word, you can even write “No” against someone, the ballot remains valid as long as the marks, words or drawings are within the parameters of that candidate. The letter or mark “X” is the standard mark not the only mark, a voter can use any mark that he/she is comfortable with.
Mundubile. Are you not aware that half the electorates for these 2026 elections have never voted before.Marks will not be confusing to them.The provisions should not be new to you, if at all,you are a lawyer.Just educate your supporters and avoid advice from idiots like Sishuwa Sishuwa