Frank Mutubila has advised people who are aggrieved by election results to stop watching news and following social media as this would worsen their feelings

In the aftermath of Zambia's fiercely contested electoral cycle, veteran broadcaster and public commentator Frank Mutubila has issued a timely piece of counsel to citizens struggling to accept the final poll results. Addressing a politically fatigued nation, Mutubila strongly advised individuals nursing electoral grievances to deliberately step away from television news, radio broadcasts, and digital social media channels. According to the seasoned media practitioner, an incessant immersion in partisan commentary and cyberspace bickering does little to alter democratic outcomes, instead serving only to aggravate personal anxieties and deepen emotional distress. The 2026 general elections have left various political camps experiencing mixed fortunes, triggering intense post-election reactions across the country. While winners celebrate and reorganize for governance, supporters of losing factions have taken to digital platforms to vent, trade accusations, and dissect every facet of the electoral process. Mutubila warns that this hyper-connected ecosystem often amplifies hostility and sectarian divisions, preventing citizens from finding closure or returning to productive daily routines. By advocating for a temporary media blackout among the aggrieved, he highlights a growing public health concern regarding political polarization and mental wellness in contemporary Zambia. Societal reactions to Mutubila's advice have underscored deep fissures in how citizens process political loss. In urban centers like Lusaka and the Copperbelt, where internet penetration and social media usage are exceptionally high, digital forums remain saturated with partisan friction. Observers note that while political actors frequently urge resilience, the psychological toll of tightly fought campaigns is rarely addressed within mainstream civic dialogue. Mutubila's intervention shifts the focus from structural political grievances to individual self-care, urging citizens to safeguard their m