LUSAKA — August 9, 2026: Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling UPND to face the electorate without fear, arguing that if the Government has performed well during its five-year tenure, there should be no reason to fear opposition candidates or the Zambian voter.
Mundubile said the real opposition facing any government is not another political party or presidential candidate, but the ordinary voter who possesses the constitutional power to decide who governs the country.
“If you have performed well in five years, why are you afraid of the people who are challenging you politically? Face the people. Face the ballot box. Let the Zambian people decide,” Mundubile said.
He was speaking as Zambia enters the final days of campaigning ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Election.
Mundubile’s comments come amid concerns he has raised over what he describes as arrests, intimidation and alleged obstruction involving political actors, media personnel, content creators and campaign personnel.
His earlier statement called on the Zambia Police Service to remain politically neutral and warned that arrests should never become a political weapon.
Mundubile said political leaders should not regard citizens who want political change as enemies.
According to him, voters have the ultimate democratic power to determine whether a government remains in office or is replaced.
“The biggest opposition to any government is the voter. The voter can remove a government peacefully, constitutionally and democratically. All they need is a ballot paper,” he said.
He challenged the UPND to allow its performance to be judged at the ballot box instead of allegedly relying on intimidation or political confrontation.
“If you believe the people are satisfied with your performance, do not intimidate them. Let them vote.”
Mundubile also raised concerns over reports of alleged political mobilisation and possible disruption around some polling stations.
He specifically referred to Kuma Tyre Polling Station and Mishishi in Mandevu Constituency, saying reports of possible attempts to organise political camps or mobilise cadres in the area should be taken seriously and investigated by the relevant authorities.
He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Zambia Police Service to ensure that voters are able to cast their ballots without intimidation.
“A polling station belongs to the voter. It does not belong to UPND, the opposition, Brian Mundubile or any other candidate. It belongs to the people of Zambia.”
Mundubile stressed that the concerns were matters requiring investigation and that political differences must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
The presidential candidate also challenged claims of overwhelming electoral support for the ruling party.
He said slogans, campaign rallies and social-media activity could not substitute for actual votes.
“If you believe you have five million votes, let the people give you five million votes. Political slogans cannot determine an election. Social-media numbers cannot determine an election. Only the ballot can determine an election.”
He further argued that the electorate should be allowed to make its decision without pressure.
“If you have delivered, let the people reward you. If you have performed well, let the people endorse you.”
Mundubile also questioned why he and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, should be treated as a security or political threat if they were as politically insignificant as some of their opponents allegedly suggest.
“If we are merely boys, why is there so much concern about us? Why not defeat us with policies? Why not defeat us through a superior record of performance?”
He said political competition should be settled through ideas and votes rather than arrests, intimidation or violence.
“Political competition is not treason. Criticism of government is not a crime. Wanting a different government is not a crime.”
Mundubile reiterated his appeal to the police to act professionally and impartially.
His 9 August statement said the Zambia Police Service serves all citizens regardless of political affiliation and should not become an instrument for intimidating political opponents.
He said genuine criminal offences should be dealt with according to the law, but warned against selective enforcement.
“Where an offence has genuinely been committed, the law must take its course. But arrests must never become a political weapon.”
Mundubile also repeated concerns about what he described as conflicting messages regarding how voters should mark their ballot papers.
He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to maintain a clear and consistent voter-education message.
His statement specifically urged voters to mark an X in the box corresponding to the candidate of their choice and warned against introducing confusion only days before the election.
“No voter should enter a polling booth confused about whether to use an X, a tick, a line or another symbol,” he said.
He urged voters to follow the official instructions issued by the Electoral Commission.
Mundubile has called on opposition supporters, independent candidates and election agents to work together to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
However, he stressed that protecting the vote should not involve violence.
He urged election agents to remain at polling stations, properly document results, obtain official copies of polling-station results and report irregularities through lawful channels.
His statement also called on supporters to remain peaceful, avoid provocation and protect their votes through lawful means.
Mundubile said the final days of the campaign should be about persuading voters rather than creating fear.
“A government cannot arrest its way into five million votes. A government cannot intimidate its way into legitimacy. A government must earn the confidence of its people.”
He said the 13 August election should ultimately provide the opportunity for Zambians to express their political preferences freely.
“The people will speak through the ballot box, and every political leader must listen.”
He appealed to voters to remain peaceful, reject political provocation and exercise their democratic rights.
Mundubile’s statement concluded with a call for the protection of the electoral process and the peaceful expression of the people’s will.
As Zambia heads into the final days before polling, Mundubile maintained that no political party should consider itself bigger than the electorate.
“The voter is sovereign. The ballot is supreme. Zambia is bigger than any political party.”