13/05/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐
๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
With Zambia heading toward the 2026 General Election, political parties and civil society organisations are being equipped with critical tools to navigate electoral disputes more effectively and peacefully.
On May 11 and 12, 2026, SAIPARโS Support to Electoral Dispute Resolution Oversight and Capacity Building Zambia (SEDROBZ) project, in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue, conducted a one-day trainings on Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) for political party and civil society representatives respectively. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in Zambiaโs electoral processes ahead of next yearโs polls.
The training comes against the backdrop of increasing election petitions in recent electoral cycles, raising concerns about the efficiency, fairness, and credibility of dispute resolution mechanisms. Organisers said the programme was designed to improve political partiesโ understanding of Zambiaโs EDR framework and enhance their ability to engage constructively with electoral justice institutions.
A total of 31 participants representing about 14 political parties as well as 18 participants from about 10 CSOs attended the trainings, where they were taken through key legal and procedural aspects of filing and managing electoral petitions. Sessions focused on timelines, admissibility requirements, evidentiary standards, and the respective roles of institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Judiciary.
Facilitators emphasised that many petitions fail not because of the substance of complaints, but due to procedural shortcomings. Participants were therefore encouraged to pay close attention to documentation, burden of proof requirements, and compliance with established legal procedures to ensure disputes can be heard on their merits.
The training also underscored core principles underpinning effective electoral dispute resolution, including fairness, legitimacy, transparency, efficiency, promptness, and public trust. Organisers noted that strengthening these values is essential to promoting peaceful and democratic elections.
As part of the programme, participants were introduced to the SEDROBZ One-Stop Advisory Centre, a dedicated support platform designed to provide guidance and technical assistance on electoral dispute resolution processes. The centre aims to help political parties and stakeholders reduce procedural errors and improve access to timely information and advisory services.
Organisers expressed optimism that improved knowledge sharing and collaboration among political parties, electoral institutions, and the Judiciary would contribute to a more credible and peaceful electoral environment in 2026 and beyond.
SEDROBZ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting lawful, non-violent, and trusted mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes as part of broader efforts to strengthen democratic governance in Zambia.
