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Tuesday 7th July 2026
Third Elections Project Update for the 2026 General Elections
A very warm welcome, fellow citizens, to this third update from Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) under the Kuteteza Masankho Project.
As part of our long-term election observation efforts ahead of the 13th August 2026 General Elections, TI-Z continues to monitor the electoral environment nationwide and engage with stakeholders on issues affecting electoral integrity. Through these regular updates, we seek to keep citizens informed, while also contributing towards peaceful, transparent, accountable, and credible elections.
For this update, we focus on three issues that have emerged from our election monitoring activities: the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s voter education campaign ahead of polling day, the presidential candidates’ campaign schedule, and results from our ongoing monitoring of electoral incidents across the country.
1. ECZ’s Voter Education Campaign
TI-Z commends the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for intensifying its nationwide voter education campaign ahead of the August 2026 General Elections. We have noted that the ECZ has recruited voter educators across the country and is running a well-coordinated media campaign under the hashtag “Countmein” through adverts and other programmes on radio and television. We commend this action because an informed electorate is a fundamental ingredient for strengthening democracy and ensuring that elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and credible manner.
As polling day draws closer, TI-Z encourages every eligible voter to participate in the electoral process by taking time to understand the voting procedure, verifying their polling stations, rejecting all forms of vote buying and electoral corruption, and exercising their constitutional right to vote peacefully. Every vote matters, and every citizen has a responsibility to contribute towards building a democratic Zambia through informed and active participation. Elections present an opportunity for citizens to choose leaders based on policies, competence, integrity, and the public interest, rather than fear, misinformation, or financial inducements.
2. Presidential Candidates’ Campaign Schedule
TI-Z has noted the recent clarification by the ECZ that President Hakainde Hichilema, in his capacity as Head of State, will not be required to follow the presidential campaign timetable, as his official engagements are governed by existing laws governing the Office of the President. While the President continues to exercise his executive powers vested in him by virtue of Article 91 of the constitution even during elections until the president-elect is sworn in, it is TI-Z’s view that the use of public resources during this period should be strictly for carrying out state duties as opposed to partisan campaign rallies or voter mobilisation.
While TI-Z appreciates the constitutional responsibilities attached to the Office of the President, this development raises important governance considerations. One of the fundamental principles underpinning democratic elections is the existence of a level playing field where all candidates are afforded equal opportunity to campaign. Arrangements that distinguish one candidate from others, even though legally justifiable, should be implemented with the highest levels of transparency to avoid creating perceptions of unequal treatment or unfair electoral advantage.
The distinction between official government functions and campaign activities must therefore remain clear throughout the election period. Citizens must have confidence that public resources, government programmes, official travel, and State institutions are not being used, or perceived to be used, to support any candidate’s electoral campaign. TI-Z therefore encourages the ECZ and all relevant public institutions to continue communicating clearly with the public about how these arrangements will be managed to safeguard public confidence in the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
3. Results from TI-Z Ongoing Monitoring of Electoral Incidents
During the one-month period between May and June 2026, TI-Z monitored 218 electoral events nationwide. Of these electoral events, 159 were peaceful, while the remaining events included 12 incidents of political intimidation, 11 incidents of political violence, 11 incidents of tense political situations that could have resulted in political violence, and 10 incidents of restrictions on political activities. While it is encouraging that nearly 73 per cent of monitored electoral events were peaceful, the number of negative incidents demonstrates that significant efforts are still required to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process at all levels.
Notable examples of these incidents of political violence included the destruction of campaign billboards belonging to independent parliamentary and mayoral candidates in Solwezi district, the vandalism of two campaign vehicles belonging to independent candidates in the same district, the destruction of UPND campaign posters in both Kalumbila and Luanshya districts, and the disruption of a UPND campaign activity in Kitwe district. Furthermore, incidents of political intimidation and restrictions included the threatening of a UPND Ward Coordinator in Kabwe Central, the detention of an aspiring candidate in Isoka constituency, and the issuing of derogatory and demeaning remarks by suspected UPND members at an independent candidate in Mwandi Constituency.
These incidents point to an emerging pattern of political intolerance that could undermine peaceful elections if left unchecked. TI-Z is particularly concerned that while such incidents continue to occur, there has been little evidence of political parties taking visible disciplinary action against members alleged to have engaged in violence, intimidation, hate speech, or destruction of campaign materials. Public condemnation of violence is important, but it must be accompanied by decisive internal accountability measures where credible evidence exists. Political parties have a responsibility to promote peaceful campaigns not only through public statements but also through their members’ conduct.
TI-Z therefore calls upon all political parties to demonstrate zero tolerance towards political violence, hate speech, and intimidation by holding their members accountable where misconduct is established. We further urge the Zambia Police Service and the ECZ to continue investigating all reported electoral offences professionally, impartially, and expeditiously. Visible enforcement of the law remains one of the strongest deterrents against electoral violence and lawlessness.
Conclusion
As the country approaches the August 2026 General Elections, TI-Z calls upon all political parties, candidates, supporters, public institutions, and citizens to fulfil their respective roles in safeguarding Zambia’s democracy. Political competition must remain peaceful, public institutions must continue to discharge their mandates impartially, and all stakeholders must reject violence, intimidation, hate speech, electoral corruption, and all conduct that undermines the integrity of the electoral process. TI-Z will continue monitoring electoral developments across the country, providing regular updates on findings from its election observation activities, and engaging relevant stakeholders to promote peaceful, transparent, credible, and inclusive elections ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For more details, get in touch with the TI-Z Communications Officer, Ms. Zanji Valerie Sinkala on zsinkala@tizambia.org.zm.
