Claims circulating on Facebook and YouTube alleging that NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has won Zambia’s 2026 Presidential Election are misleading. As of the time of publication, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the only body legally mandated to declare the winner, had not announced the official presidential election results. Vote counting, verification and tallying were still underway, making any claim that a candidate is President-elect premature and unsupported by the official electoral process.
Claim:
Posts and videos that went viral on 14 August 2026 claimed that the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile, had won Zambia’s 2026 Presidential Election. One Facebook page, Lily Mutamz TV, congratulated Mundubile, referring to him as the “8th President of Zambia.” Similar claims were also shared through Facebook videos and YouTube.
Examples of the claim:
- Post on Lily Mutamz Tv https://www.facebook.com/share/1DTjzVBy7L/
- Video on Brian Mundubile page https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1923L6NPyG/
- YouTube video containing Mundubile Video announcement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isoBI2gH5lM
Note: In line with our editorial policy, we do not normally share links to content containing false or misleading information. However, the links above are provided solely for transparency and to enable readers to review the specific claims that were assessed in this fact-check. They should not be interpreted as endorsing or amplifying the claims.
Verdict: Misleading
Rating Justification
The claim that Brian Mundubile is Zambia’s President-elect is misleading because the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has not officially declared the winner of the 2026 Presidential Election.
Under Zambia’s legal framework, the ECZ is the only institution constitutionally mandated to determine and declare the outcome of a presidential election.
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) No. 2 of 2016 provides that the Returning Officer for a Presidential election, who is the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, is responsible for declaring the winner.
Additionally, Article 73 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2026 states that:
(1) The Returning Officer shall tally, announce and declare the result of a presidential election as soon as they are received.
(2) The Returning Officer shall announce and declare the result of a presidential election without having received the results of all polling stations if—
(a) waiting for the remaining results would unduly and unreasonably delay the declaration of the election; and
(b) the outstanding results are not likely to materially affect the overall outcome.
At the time of this fact-check, vote counting, verification and tallying were still underway. The ECZ had not announced the official presidential results, meaning no candidate had been declared President-elect.
The ECZ has also cautioned the public against relying on unofficial election results circulating on social media and has urged citizens to await official announcements from the Commission.
Conclusion
The claim that Brian Mundubile has been declared the winner of Zambia’s 2026 Presidential Election is misleading.
As of the time of publication, the Electoral Commission of Zambia had not officially declared the presidential election results. Vote counting and verification were still underway, and no candidate had legally been declared President-elect.
Therefore, social media posts and videos presenting Brian Mundubile or any other candidate as the winner of the presidential election before the ECZ’s official declaration are premature and misleading. Members of the public should rely only on official announcements from the Electoral Commission of Zambia and avoid sharing unverified election claims that may undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Evidence
- ECZ public advisory on the Suspension of Counting and Announcement of Election Results https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BMMiCaWC8/
Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation
Before sharing election-related content, verify that it comes from credible and official sources. If you encounter suspicious claims, images, videos, or social media posts, submit them to iVerify Zambia for independent verification.
📧 Email: factcheck@panos.org.zm
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Together, we can help reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote access to accurate and verified information, and protect the integrity of Zambia’s democratic process.
