ECZ bans Binwell from entering election results centre for “security reasons”

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has taken decisive action in the interest of public safety by revoking the accreditation granted to Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Chairperson for Presidential Affairs, Binwell Mpundu, to access the National Results Centre. Announced by Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro, the move comes in response to a widely circulated video in which Mpundu stated that he was ready to die or kill for the upcoming polls. The electoral body noted that such inflammatory rhetoric poses a severe threat to public peace and undermines the democratic process. Pursuant to Section 77(6) of the Electoral Process Act and Paragraph 11(1)(c) of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the Commission emphasized that it will not tolerate behavior capable of inciting civil unrest or electoral violence. The National Results Centre serves as the nerve center for collation and announcement during national polls, requiring an atmosphere of utmost sobriety, security, and impartiality. By barring Mpundu, the ECZ aims to send a strong signal to political actors across the divide that threats of violence will carry immediate administrative consequences. The development has triggered sharp reactions across the political landscape, dividing opinion between those who view the ban as a necessary deterrent against lawlessness and critics who question the timing and scope of the enforcement. Political tensions have steadily escalated as the nation approaches the general election, putting security agencies and electoral administrators under intense scrutiny to maintain law and order while safeguarding the integrity of the vote. As stakeholders deliberate on the implications of the ban, civil society organizations have repeatedly called for restraint, urging political leaders to prioritize peaceful engagement over belligerent posturing. The ECZ has reiterated its commitment to managing a transparent, secure, and credible electoral process, warning that further infractions by any accred