I NEVER DECLARED MYSELF WINNER OF THE ELECTIONS, SAYS MUNDUBILE.

The political atmosphere in Lusaka remains tense following the 2026 general elections, as key political figures navigate the delicate period of vote tabulation and verification. National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) President Brian Mundubile has stepped forward to clarify his recent public addresses, asserting that he never personally declared himself the winner of the presidential poll. The clarification follows widespread public debate and sharp warnings from electoral authorities regarding premature victory claims while the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) continues its statutory duties. Mr. Mundubile's campaign camp maintained that his previous statements were based exclusively on data collated through the party's Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT) system. According to his representatives, the internal figures gathered from various polling stations and constituency tallying centers pointed toward a strong showing for the opposition alliance. However, legal and political analysts have repeatedly emphasized that under Zambian electoral law, only the ECZ—through its designated returning officer—holds the legal mandate to officially announce and declare election winners. The debate highlights a recurring point of friction in Zambian electoral cycles, where opposition parties utilize parallel counts to maintain transparency and pressure electoral bodies against perceived delays. While the ECZ temporarily suspended vote counting in specific areas due to reported security incidents and procedural concerns, stakeholders across the political divide have urged calm. Civil society organizations have continuously reminded political actors to exercise restraint and allow constitutional mechanisms to run their course without undue pressure from unverified provisional tallies. As the nation awaits formal updates from the electoral commission, tensions on social media and local compounds remain palpable. Security wings have maintained a heavy presen