CSOs DEMAND FAIR PLAY
Coalition raises alarm over political inequality, election violence and late changes to voting rules ahead of Thursday’s general election
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24, 10 -08-2026 -- — Civil society and faith-based organisations have raised the alarm over what they describe as an uneven political playing field, growing election-related violence and confusion caused by changes to voting rules ahead of Thursday’s general election.
The organisations say these concerns cannot simply be brushed aside, arguing that the credibility of the August 13 election will depend on whether every Zambian is able to walk into a polling station and freely cast a vote without fear, intimidation or undue influence.
They say it is not enough for voting to take place peacefully on the day if the process leading to the ballot has already placed some political players at a disadvantage.
The concerns were raised during a joint briefing involving 11 organisations — Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation, Freedom Foundation, Alliance for Community Action (ACA), ActionAid Zambia, Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), African Development and Empowerment Group (ADEG), Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z), Panos Institute Southern Africa and Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).
The coalition said the country has reached a critical point where institutions responsible for protecting democracy must put aside political interests and ensure that the electoral rules are applied fairly to everyone.
Linda Kasonde, Executive Director of the LCK Foundation, said the concerns raised by the organisations were backed by Zambia’s Constitution and the country’s obligations under regional democratic agreements.
Ms Kasonde pointed to Article 45 of the Constitution, which provides for an electoral system free from violence, intimidation and corruption.
She also cited Article 8, which sets out Zambia’s commitment to democracy, human dignity and good governance.
Ms Kasonde further referred to Zambia’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
She said these were not merely ideals written on paper, but obligations that should guide the conduct of the election.
OPPOSITION PARTIES RAISE CONCERNS
The coalition said opposition parties have for years struggled with restrictions on mobilisation under the Public Order Act, a situation it said became particularly pronounced from 2021 and has continued during the current campaign.
The organisations questioned whether political parties are genuinely operating on equal ground when some are able to mobilise freely while others face restrictions.
They also raised concerns over the conduct of some state institutions, particularly the Registrar of Societies, which they accused of lacking independence.
The Patriotic Front leadership dispute was cited as an example of how the administration of political parties can become caught up in political battles.
The coalition also complained about unequal access to public media.
It said voters need to hear from different political parties and candidates if they are to make an informed choice, particularly during the final days of a campaign when parties are making their last appeals to the electorate.
The organisations further questioned the way the Electoral Commission of Zambia has suspended some campaign activities.
They argued that when action is taken against political violence or misconduct, those responsible should face the consequences rather than candidates or supporters who may have had nothing to do with the incident.
Gideon Musonda, Executive Director of ADEG, said the coalition had received reports alleging that some people were being offered employment opportunities in exchange for participating in ruling-party campaigns.
He also raised allegations involving the transportation of voters to polling stations and promises of food in return for political support.
Mr Musonda said the coalition was concerned about the possible use of government programmes to influence voters.
He specifically mentioned the social cash transfer programme and reported increases in student allowances.
The concern, he said, was not about vulnerable people receiving assistance or students benefiting from improved allowances.
Rather, the concern was about whether public programmes were being presented as political favours at a time when politicians are asking Zambians for votes.
The coalition said government assistance should reach eligible citizens because they qualify for it, and not because they support a particular political party.
VIOLENCE CASTS A SHADOW OVER CAMPAIGN
The issue of political violence also featured prominently during the briefing.
Mr Musonda said the coalition’s monitoring had found that most of the reported election-related violence had allegedly involved ruling-party supporters targeting opposition and independent candidates.
He accused the Zambia Police Service of failing to consistently bring perpetrators to account, regardless of which political camp they belong to.
The coalition said this was dangerous because when people attack others and get away with it, the message sent to the public is that political violence can be tolerated.
The organisations also referred to alleged abductions and the arrest of musicians whom they said had no connection to election-related violence.
They urged members of the public who witness violence, intimidation or other electoral misconduct to report the incidents to the ECZ or law enforcement agencies.
They also encouraged citizens to safely keep evidence of incidents where possible, saying such information could help authorities establish what happened.
LATE CHANGES LEAVE VOTERS CONFUSED
Another major concern raised by the coalition was the changes made to electoral laws and regulations close to polling day.
The organisations said amendments to the Electoral Process Act and subsequent regulations had left some voters confused about what constitutes a properly marked ballot.
They questioned why changes affecting something as basic as how a voter marks a ballot should be introduced so close to an election.
The coalition said voters should not have to walk into polling stations on Thursday wondering whether the way they have marked their ballot will be accepted.
It called for clear and consistent information from the ECZ so that voters, polling officers, political parties and election observers all understand the rules before voting begins.
TRANSPARENCY NEEDED AFTER VOTING
Fr. Boyd Nyirenda of Deputy executive director at JCTR said particular attention must be paid to the counting, aggregation and verification of results.
He called for consistent procedures across constituencies and full access for accredited political party agents and observers throughout the tallying process.
Fr. Nyirenda said the public should be able to understand how results move from polling stations to constituency centres and eventually to the national level.
He also urged the ECZ not to introduce last-minute changes that could raise unnecessary suspicion among political parties and voters.
More importantly, he warned against the spread of unverified results and rumours.
With political tensions already high, the coalition said false information about who has won or lost could quickly trigger anger and unnecessary confrontation.
The organisations therefore urged the ECZ to ensure that information released to the public is verified and communicated clearly.
PARTIES URGED TO PUT ZAMBIA FIRST
The coalition has called on the ECZ and security agencies to remain impartial throughout the electoral process.
It also wants government to keep state resources and public programmes away from partisan politics.
Political parties have been urged to control their supporters, campaign peacefully and accept the outcome of the election.
The organisations also called on the media to give all political players fair and balanced coverage, particularly during the final days of the campaign and the announcement of results.
They reminded candidates and political parties that anyone who feels disadvantaged by electoral malpractice has the option of challenging the results in court.
The coalition said disputes should be handled through the law rather than through violence or confrontation.
ZAMBIANS URGED TO VOTE
Despite the concerns they have raised, the organisations have not called on Zambians to stay away from the polls.
Instead, they have urged citizens to turn out in numbers and exercise their right to vote.
The coalition said the concerns should not discourage people from participating, but should instead remind institutions and political leaders of the responsibility they carry in protecting the vote.
Zambia has held multiparty elections since 1991, and the organisations said the country’s democratic record should not be put at risk by violence, intimidation or unfair political practices.
With polling day only days away, the coalition’s message is simple: political parties may disagree over who should govern the country, but the rules of the contest must be fair to everyone.
And, ultimately, it is the Zambian voter who must be allowed to make that choice freely at the ballot box.
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