By Oliver Chisenga
United Progressive People (UPP) President Saviour Chishimba has challenged opposition leader Brian Mundubile to provide empirical evidence for his claim that his political formation has secured a majority of parliamentary seats in the 2026 General Election.
Chishimba said the claim requires more than a political declaration, insisting that the numbers must be made public and verified by the competent electoral authorities. 
He noted that Zambia has 226 parliamentary constituencies and that, according to widely reported pre-election figures, Mundubile’s opposition formation did not field candidates in 75 constituencies, leaving it with a maximum of 151 constituencies to contest.
He argued that to secure a majority of the 226 constituency seats, the formation would need at least 114 seats, meaning it would have had to win approximately 75.5 percent of the constituencies in which it fielded candidates.
“Where is the empirical evidence for this claimed parliamentary majority?” Chishimba asked, challenging Mundubile to identify the constituencies allegedly won.
“Which 114 constituencies have you won? Name them. Show Zambia the arithmetic.”
Chishimba further pointed out that the United Party for National Development (UPND) had parliamentary candidates declared unopposed in some constituencies even before polling day.
He said a parliamentary majority should be established through verified election results rather than political projections or declarations made at press conferences.
“A parliamentary majority is not a feeling. It is not a projection. It is not something declared at a press conference. It is arithmetic,” he said.
Chishimba also called on political leaders and citizens to remain calm as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) continues with the verification and declaration of election results.
He warned against statements that could unnecessarily alarm the country before the constitutional electoral process has been concluded.
“Zambia needs peace, restraint and facts,” Chishimba said.
He urged all political players to allow the ECZ to complete its mandate, adding that if Mundubile’s formation had indeed secured the claimed victories, the verified results would ultimately establish that position.
Chishimba concluded by reaffirming his call for national unity under the slogan, “Zambia Forward, TOGETHER in UNITY.”
