Zambia's opposition prepares to challenge the election after a deadly raid
Opposition leader Brian Mundubile plans to contest President Hakainde Hichilema's re-election in court, as police confirmed a former minister was killed during a raid on a house linked to the opposition.
Geopolitics··Evening
Opposition challenges the results
Official results from the presidential election gave President Hakainde Hichilema a second term with 60 per cent of the vote, defeating his main rival, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who secured 38 per cent. Mundubile stated that he plans to challenge the outcome in court, alleging widespread fraud and maintaining that the vote tally was deliberately tampered with. He pointed to a voting process that was heavily marred by multiple arrests of political figures and widespread reports of voter intimidation across the country.[1], [2]
Deadly raid on opposition house
A day after the election, a police spokesman reported that Mutotwe Kafwaya, 49, a former minister, was fatally wounded during a raid on a house linked to Mundubile in the capital, Lusaka. During this operation, security forces arrested 11 individuals. The authorities are currently accusing Mundubile's party, the NRPUP, of participating in insurgency and militia activity, as well as storing high-grade weapons. Mundubile, who has reportedly gone into hiding, rejected the claims completely, calling the government's allegations total fabrications.[1]
Observers note tabulation concerns
International and domestic monitors have expressed serious concerns regarding the electoral process and its immediate aftermath. In a report published on Wednesday, the European Union observation mission stated that the vote tabulation deteriorated significantly following an unexplained six-hour pause. The mission noted that in many counting centres, election results were not entered on the official tally sheets as soon as they were announced. Furthermore, the country's Human Rights Commission called for full accountability regarding people whose whereabouts still remain unknown after various arrests conducted around the election period.[1]
