Poll Credibility Risk

Opposition warns escalating violence could undermine trust, safety and fairness in the 2026 general elections

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24  - 24 -05-2026) - The People’s Pact has warned that escalating political violence ahead of the 2026 general elections is placing the credibility of Zambia’s polls at serious risk, raising concerns over fairness, safety and public confidence in the democratic process.

Vice President Bob Sichinga said during a press conference that the country was facing a dangerous pattern of intimidation and violence that could compromise the integrity of the elections if not urgently addressed.

He told diplomats, election observers, international organisations and civil society groups that the situation had moved beyond normal political competition into what he described as a “critical warning phase” for Zambia’s democracy.

Sichinga accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of allegedly using violence as a political strategy, while also criticising the Zambia Police Service for failing to adequately protect opposition participants.

“The forthcoming elections have already failed the credibility test, but the people of Zambia have not,” he said.

He further raised concerns that police capacity challenges could undermine security at all polling stations, warning that the system was under strain ahead of the polls.

Sichinga also criticised certain laws he said were restricting democratic freedoms and called for urgent intervention by human rights bodies, civil society organisations and international observers.

He urged regional and international institutions, including the African Union and election monitoring missions, to engage early, warning that violence was already occurring before voting day.

“The violence is happening now, not just on election day,” he said.

He also appealed to diplomats to raise concerns with government authorities, warning that continued instability could damage Zambia’s international reputation.

He said the People’s Pact would continue documenting incidents of violence and pursuing legal action while advocating for democratic accountability.

“We will not accept the destruction of the democracy many people worked hard for,” he said.

Vice President Harriet Katanekwa also warned that electoral violence is deepening gender inequality in politics and discouraging women from participating in the democratic process.

She said violence is never gender-neutral and disproportionately affects women as candidates, campaigners and voters.

“I stand before you today not only as the Vice President of the Pact, but as a woman who refuses to accept a democracy that excludes, intimidates and brutalises women,” she said.

She said many women were already reconsidering political participation due to fear and intimidation during the nomination period.

“When violence breaks out at nomination venues, it is women who are most vulnerable,” she said.

She noted that women already face structural barriers such as limited access to campaign financing and cultural resistance, adding that violence has worsened their exclusion.

“When a woman candidate is afraid to go to file nomination papers, democracy has failed,” she said.

She cited research showing that electoral violence suppresses women’s participation more severely than men.

She said incidents reported in areas including Lusaka West, Matero, Roma, Chawama, Ngombe and Garden reflected a wider pattern of intimidation.

Katanekwa called for enhanced protection measures for women candidates and voters, including stronger security and zero tolerance for political violence.

She also urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to assess the gender impact of electoral violence and called on civil society and international observers to monitor the situation closely.

“Do not let this violence silence you,” she told women across the country.

“As a woman in leadership, I will not be intimidated and I will not be silenced,” she said.

Secretary General Cosmas Musumali said the alliance had called the press conference to “sound the alarm” over what he described as a growing wave of politically motivated violence during the nomination period.

He said the incidents reported across several constituencies were systematic and deliberate rather than isolated.

“We have called this press briefing for one urgent and unavoidable reason — to sound the alarm about the alarming wave of political violence that has already begun to define these elections,” he said.

He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the 2026 elections risk becoming “the most violent in the history” of Zambia.

Musumali accused the ruling UPND of allegedly resorting to intimidation and violence due to public dissatisfaction over economic challenges.

“Violence has become its default mode, intimidation its campaign tool, and thuggery its election machinery,” he said.

He cited incidents in Mufumbwe, Mongu, Luampa, Lusaka and Mpika where opposition candidates were allegedly attacked during nominations.

He said police allegedly failed to intervene in several cases.

“Six incidents, six constituencies, one common thread — organised violence and a police service that failed to protect candidates and defend the democratic process,” he said.

Musumali added that the alliance also condemned violence against Socialist Party candidates, stressing that all electoral violence must be rejected.

“We will not be intimidated and we will not allow the will of the Zambian people to be manipulated through violence,” he said.

Kaluba Simuyemba said the violence witnessed during the nomination process was criminal and unconstitutional.

He said the Electoral Process Act, Electoral Code of Conduct and Constitution of Zambia clearly protect all electoral participants.

Simuyemba said any use of violence or intimidation to block nominations is a criminal offence.

“What happened in Monze, Roma, Chawama and other areas were not political disagreements. They were crimes committed in full view of the police,” he said.

He accused some officers of failing to act and called for disciplinary measures against those who allegedly stood by.

He also urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to urgently investigate all reported incidents.

“We expect a prompt and transparent response. Silence or inertia will be treated as complicity,” he said.

Simuyemba warned against a repeat of past electoral violence, including the 2021 Kaoma incident.

He called on President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND to condemn the violence and apologise to victims.

“We will not allow violence to become normal in the electoral process,” he said.

He also urged citizens not to be intimidated.

“Your vote is your right,” he said.

Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said the government has strongly condemned acts of political violence, stressing that it will not tolerate disorder and will deal decisively with perpetrators in accordance with the law.

He said concerns raised by stakeholders over recent incidents of political violence were being taken seriously, warning that such conduct threatens peace, stability, and democratic processes.

Kawana said Zambia must not return to what he described as “dark days” of political intolerance and violence, adding that the current administration remains committed to enforcing law and order without fear or favour.

“That behaviour is condemned in the strongest terms possible… it will not be tolerated and will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law,” he said.

He said all perpetrators of political violence would be pursued regardless of political affiliation, noting that recent incidents, including those in Mazabuka, had already led to arrests and ongoing legal processes.

Kawana attributed some tensions to heightened political competition ahead of elections, with thousands of applicants competing for parliamentary seats, which he said can create pressure within political parties.

However, he stressed that competition must remain peaceful and within democratic norms.

He urged young people not to be used as instruments of violence, calling on them to report any form of provocation to law enforcement agencies.

“Do not allow yourselves to be used as political tools… when people want to recruit you for violence, ask them to send their own children first,” he said.

Kawana further highlighted government progress under President Hakainde Hichilema, including job creation, expanded Constituency Development Fund allocations, and free education reforms.

He said the President had committed to ensuring free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections, warning that anyone engaging in political violence would face the full force of the law.