15/08/2026
Joint Civil Society Statement Raising Alarm Over the Electoral Environment In Which the August 2026 Election is Being Held
We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations, are alarmed by the electoral environment in which the August 2026 general election is being conducted. In particular, we wish to raise the following concerns:
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LAW
Firstly, we condemn in the strongest terms the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to impose a nationwide suspension of the tallying and announcement of votes on 14th August 2026.
Section 67(2) of the Electoral Process Act requires counting to commence immediately after the close of polling and to continue until completion. Section 67(3) permits the suspension of procedures relating to the counting of votes, with the Commission's approval, while requiring the safekeeping of voting materials during such suspension.
The Commission's decision appeared to extend beyond this provision by suspending both counting and the announcement of results throughout the country. This raises an important question as to whether the nationwide suspension, particularly insofar as it extended to the announcement of results, was authorised by law.
The exercise of constitutional authority must always have an identifiable legal basis. The fact that a decision has subsequently been withdrawn or reversed does not cure an exercise of power that may have exceeded the authority conferred by law. The Commission should therefore explain the legal and factual basis for its decision, the statutory authority relied upon, and why incidents occurring in particular locations were considered sufficient to suspend the process nationally.
This is not a technical concern. Respect for the rule of law requires public institutions themselves to demonstrate obedience to the law. The credibility of an independent commission is strengthened, not weakened, when it accounts openly for the exercise of its powers.
The Commission must also recognise the gravity of its responsibility to the Zambian people. At a moment of such national consequence, delay, casualness and avoidable uncertainty are themselves damaging. The Commission must treat the time, patience and democratic choice of the Zambian people with the respect they deserve; honour the timelines and commitments it communicates; act with urgency and institutional discipline; and rise decisively above personal preference, partisan pressure, bias, or even the appearance of bias. The country should not have to repeatedly demand from its electoral body the urgency and seriousness that the occasion itself plainly requires.
We are also concerned by reports that some ballot papers have gone missing during the period of suspension, which may raise concerns about the credibility of the electoral outcome.
We note that the Electoral Commission of Zambia subsequently lifted its nationwide suspension of the counting and announcement of election results. While we welcome the resumption of the electoral process, the reversal does not remove the need to hold the Electoral Commission to account for the original decision.
REPORTED DETENTION OF THE LEADING OPPOSITION CANDIDATE AND HIS SUPPORTERS
We are also concerned by reports that the leading opposition presidential candidate, Mr Brian Mundubile, former LAZ President Mr. George Chisanga, UNIP President Mr. Trevor Mwamba, former Minister Mr. Mutotwe Kafwaya was detained and questioned by officers of the Zambia Army, together with reports concerning the detention or disappearance from public view of some of his supporters. We equally are concerned by reports that Mr. Kafwaya has been shot and remains in care at Maina Soko Hospital
These events require a clear and authoritative response from the State. The public is entitled to know the legal basis upon which Mr. Mundubile and any of his supporters were detained or questioned, which institution exercised that authority, where those affected were held, and whether they had access to legal representation and the protections guaranteed by the Constitution and the law.
The timing of these events, while the electoral process remained unresolved, makes transparency particularly important. State action involving a presidential candidate, political actors or their supporters during an election must be demonstrably lawful, necessary, impartial and insulated from partisan considerations.
We emphasise that ordinary criminal investigation, arrest, interrogation and maintenance of public order are fundamentally civilian policing functions. The Zambia Police Service must remain the primary institution responsible for law enforcement. The Defence Force must remain within its constitutional mandate, politically neutral and subordinate to civilian authority.
The use or appearance of military power in relation to political actors during an unresolved election risks militarising what must remain a civilian and democratic process. Where offences are alleged, lawful institutions must investigate them through established procedures.
ZAMBIA IS BIGGER THAN THIS ELECTION
At this moment, all Zambians must remember what is ultimately at stake.
Zambia's peace, security and national unity do not belong to any Government, political party, candidate or individual. They are a common inheritance and a collective responsibility.
There will be a winner, and there will be those who do not win this election. But Zambia and the Zambian people are bigger than any political party, any candidate and any individual. No electoral victory is worth damaging the peace upon which this country has been built, and no electoral defeat can justify violence, intimidation or the destruction of national cohesion.
Political leaders carry an especially heavy responsibility. Their words can calm or inflame; reassure or provoke; preserve confidence or deepen suspicion. Political competition must therefore remain political competition. Opponents must not become enemies, and citizens must not become hostile to one another because of the candidates they support.
Rumour must not become fact merely because it is repeated. Suspicion must not become violence. Whatever the final result, Zambia must emerge from this election as one country and one people.
We therefore make the following calls:
1. To the Electoral Commission of Zambia: conclude the counting, tallying, announcement and declaration of results transparently, efficiently and without unnecessary delay; provide regular and verifiable information capable of countering misinformation and disinformation; preserve access for agents, observers and monitors; and account publicly for the legal and factual basis of the earlier nationwide suspension. Above all, the Commission must respect the Zambian people by treating this moment with the urgency, discipline, impartiality and seriousness it demands, honouring its communicated timelines and rising above personal preference, partisan pressure, bias or the appearance of bias.
2. To the Government and security institutions: provide a full account of the circumstances surrounding the detention and questioning of Mr. Brian Mundubile and any of his supporters, including their whereabouts during the relevant period and the legal authority relied upon. Any investigation or deprivation of liberty must comply fully with the Constitution and the law. Civilian policing must remain primary, while the Defence Force and other security institutions must remain politically neutral and within their constitutional mandates.
3. To political parties, candidates, media institutions and citizens: exercise restraint; reject violence, misinformation and disinformation; refrain from premature declarations of victory; and wait for the official results to be announced through the lawful electoral process. Nothing in our political differences should be allowed to endanger Zambia's peace, security and unity.
This moment will test our institutions, our political leadership and our collective commitment to constitutional government. The Constitution binds the Electoral Commission, the Police, the Defence Force, the Government, political actors and citizens alike. Public power must remain within the limits prescribed by law, and political competition must remain subordinate to the interests of the Republic.
Every lawfully cast vote must be protected and counted. The final result must emerge through the lawful process. Falsehood must be answered with transparency. Alleged wrongdoing must be addressed through lawful civilian institutions. And Zambia's peace and unity must remain paramount.
Elections determine who governs. They must never determine whether we remain one people. Zambia is bigger than any election, any political party and any individual.
Signed by:
Linda Kasonde
Executive Director, LCK Freedom Foundation
Issued jointly by the undersigned Civil Society Organisations.
For and on behalf of the following CSOs:
ActionAid Zambia, Alliance For Community Action Zambia, Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, LCK Freedom Foundation, Non-governmental Gender Organisations' Coordinating Council, Transparency International Zambia, Zambia Council for Social Development, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf).
