15/08/2026
AU-COMESA OBSERVER MISSION COMMENDS ZAMBIANS FOR PEACEFUL 2026 ELECTION
Highlights from the Preliminary Statement issued by the African Union and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (AU-COMESA) Election Observation Mission led by former Ethiopian Prime Minister , Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe.
✅ Commended Zambians for exercising their democratic right during the August 13, 2026 General Election, describing the voting process as generally peaceful and orderly.
✅ Disclosed that voting was conducted in a generally peaceful and orderly environment in 98.6 percent of polling stations observed.
✅ Indicated that security measures were in place at all polling stations observed, while security officials generally conducted themselves professionally.
✅ Further , reported that polling officials complied with key electoral procedures, including the correct sealing of ballot boxes in 99 percent of polling stations observed.
✅ The Mission has However, identified operational challenges, particularly delays in opening polling stations, congestion and slow processing of voters.
✅ Only 66 percent of polling stations observed opened on time, compared to 89 percent during the Mission’s 2021 assessment. The delays were attributed to the late arrival of polling officials and electoral materials, as well as inadequate preparations.
✅ The Mission also noted that voting was interrupted at five polling stations following protests by voters over the slow voting process.
✅ Observed that most polling stations serving more than 900 registered voters had only one voting booth, contributing to prolonged queues, congestion and delays.
✅ The Mission said Zambia continued to demonstrate a longstanding record of constitutional continuity and peaceful transfers of power, noting that power had changed hands peacefully through elections in 1991, 2011 and 2021.
✅ However, the Mission said the 2026 election was held against a backdrop of macro-economic challenges affecting the cost of living, youth unemployment and poverty, with socio-economic discontent, political polarisation and party coalitions emerging as significant factors.
✅ Further expressed concern over the late enactment of electoral reforms, noting that the Electoral Processes Act was passed in May 2026, only three months before the election.
✅ Stressed that the timing limited the opportunity for comprehensive civic and voter education on the new legal provisions and fell short of best practice, which recommends finalising electoral laws at least six months before a general election.
✅ The Mission also raised concern over the absence of legislation regulating political parties, noting that although the Constitutional Court had directed Parliament to enact such legislation, Parliament was dissolved in May 2026 without passing a Political Parties law.
✅ Meanwhile, the Mission commended the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system aimed at enhancing the representation of women, youth and persons with disabilities.
✅ However, it observed a decline in the number of women contesting elections.
✅ Female National Assembly candidates dropped from 21 percent in 2021 to 12.5 percent in 2026, while female councillor candidates declined from 9.9 percent to 8.5 percent.
✅ On electoral security, the Mission described the overall environment as peaceful and conducive for the elections, while noting isolated incidents of political violence and heightened tensions in areas including Kaputa, Lusaka and Mazabuka.
✅ Cited concerns over political intolerance, perceived partiality in law enforcement, the application of the Public Order Act, and the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation.
✅ Expressed particular concern over the management of results after the Electoral Commission of Zambia temporarily suspended the counting and announcement of results on August 14, citing security concerns.
✅ Disclosed that the development, together with a public claim of victory by opposition leader Brian Mundubile before the ECZ announced official results, contributed to increased mistrust, political tension and incidents of violence.
✅ The Mission stressed that only the ECZ should announce official election results, saying strict adherence to the legal framework, transparent communication and restraint by political actors were essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
✅ Urged all stakeholders to remain calm, exercise restraint, refrain from statements or actions that could heighten tensions, allow the ECZ to complete the counting and verification process, and use established legal and institutional mechanisms to resolve electoral disputes peacefully.
✅ Meanwhile, the Mission has called for an increase in polling stations and voting booths, consideration of biometric voter identification, stronger voter education targeting young people, and improved internal democracy within political parties.
✅ Urged political parties to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, political violence and intimidation, and called on the media to provide balanced, accurate, impartial and equitable coverage of all political contestants.
✅ The Mission, deployed 93 short-term observers drawn from 27 African countries, with observers covering 740 polling stations across 226 constituencies in eight provinces.
Photo credit: SADC
Copied: Ministry of Information
