Promoting Electoral Integrity

Bishop Msusu 

.. Church Mother Bodies Join Forces to Strengthen Zambia's Electoral Process

By Francis Maingaila
January 27, 2025

The three Church Mother Bodies in Zambia have announced a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the country’s electoral process and promoting active citizen participation in the democratic journey.

Bishop Paul Msusu, representing the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), who read the statement on behalf of the two other Church Mother Bodies, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), made the announcement during a media briefing on Monday at Kapingila House in Kabulonga. 

He highlighted the collective commitment to addressing key challenges in the electoral system, including voter apathy and electoral malpractice.

Msusu emphasized the importance of credible elections and democratic values, stating that democracy thrives on inclusivity and accountability. 

"This partnership seeks to advance systems that respect civil, economic, social, and cultural rights, creating an environment of peace and stability," he said.

Under the new partnership, each Church organization will take on a distinct role. 

The CCZ will focus on grassroots mobilization and voter education, EFZ will provide technical expertise in election monitoring, and ZCCB will lead advocacy efforts, particularly in promoting peace and stability during elections.

The Council of Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG), a non-partisan platform dedicated to observing electoral processes, will also play a key role in monitoring elections.

Msusu commended CCMG for its work in enhancing transparency and facilitating continuous engagement between citizens and policymakers.

The partnership has received support from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), civil society organizations, and international partners, who have contributed to strengthening Zambia's democratic practices.

The initiative is aimed at addressing critical issues such as low civic engagement and ensuring more inclusive, transparent, and credible elections.

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