Let the Law Speak: Why Brian Mundubile Must be Allowed to Submit His Election Petition before the Deadline.

These circumstances make restraint more important, not less.

The ruling party has little to lose by easing the pressure and allowing the legal process to run its course. It has much to lose by appearing to fear that process. A government confident in the legitimacy of its victory should be willing to say: Take the evidence to court; let the law decide.

That approach would not amount to surrendering governmental authority. On the contrary, it would demonstrate constitutional confidence and political maturity.

The consequences of allowing the present tension to persist are potentially profound. Economically, uncertainty can discourage investment, disrupt business confidence and complicate Zambia’s efforts to consolidate the economic gains made since the country’s debt crisis. Zambia’s recovery, its currency stability and its ambitions in the copper sector all depend partly upon confidence in institutions and political stability.

Socially, prolonged confrontation risks deepening political divisions among families, communities and supporters of rival parties. People who already struggle with the cost of living have little appetite for another period of instability. Every arrest, raid, confrontation or inflammatory statement adds another layer of fear to an already tense national mood.

And politically, perhaps the greatest danger is the erosion of faith in constitutional methods. When citizens begin to believe that elections are decided only at polling stations—or that the courts cannot be trusted to hear legitimate grievances—they may eventually conclude that peaceful political participation is pointless. That is the moment when democracy becomes most vulnerable.

The answer is therefore neither political retaliation nor street confrontation. It is de-escalation and law.

Mundubile should be allowed every lawful opportunity to lodge his petition, present his evidence and have the matter determined by the competent court. At the same time, opposition leaders must commit themselves to peaceful conduct and respect whatever judgment the courts ultimately deliver.

This is bigger than Brian Mundubile. It is bigger than President Hichilema. It is about whether Zambia can demonstrate, at a moment of extraordinary pressure, that our institutions are stronger than our political passions.

The ruling party has an opportunity to make a statesmanlike gesture: ease the pressure, protect the space for lawful political activity, and allow the petition to be heard without intimidation. If the election was genuinely won fairly, an open judicial process can only strengthen that victory.

Because sometimes the strongest government is not the one that silences its challenger.

It is the one confident enough to let its challenger speak—and confident enough to let the law answer him.

Zambia needs that confidence now.

Tobias T. Banda
Former Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Roma Constituency

The author is a distinguished Community Leader, Governance activist and Development advocate with extensive experience in Public Administration, Government Liaison, Community Mobilization and Youth Leadership.