POLLING DELAYS, VIOLENCE MAR VOTING

Kayanda flags late openings, material shortages, voter secrecy concerns and harassment of journalists as Zambians cast ballots

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24  - 13-08-2026 -- The 2026 General Elections have been hit by delays, confusion and isolated cases of violence, with the Ziko Lathu Consortium expressing concern over what it says are problems affecting voters at some polling stations.

Speaking during the consortium’s second media briefing, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia representative Austin Kayanda said more than 100 incident reports and over 1,200 checklist submissions had been received and analysed by 16:00 hours.

Kayanda said the reports painted a worrying picture in some polling stations, with voters facing late openings, changes of polling venues, shortages of materials, problems with ballot secrecy and harassment of journalists.

He said Ndoloka Polling Station in Kasama did not open until 12:15 hours, leaving voters waiting for hours before they could cast their ballots.

Kayanda said a delayed opening at a polling station in Ngombe reportedly triggered a stampede in which a woman was injured and rushed to hospital unconscious.

He said an elderly woman was also injured.

According to Kayanda, the decision to move some polling stations because the original venues were too small also left some voters confused and struggling to find where they were supposed to vote.

He said similar incidents were reported in two areas where some voters were reportedly injured, while a polling station in Kafue West Constituency was also moved.

Kayanda said while the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) may have had reasons for finding alternative venues, such changes on polling day can leave voters frustrated and uncertain.

He said late opening was particularly worrying because every hour lost could mean a voter losing the chance to exercise their democratic right.

Kayanda also raised concern over the difficulties faced by elderly voters and persons with disabilities.

He said inadequate facilities for vulnerable groups were observed at Ngombe PTA Polling Station in Roma Constituency.

Kayanda said some voters were further frustrated by shortages of election materials, including ink.

He said voting was temporarily stopped at some polling stations because of the shortages.

The consortium also received reports of ballots being stamped on the front rather than the back on at least three occasions.

Kayanda said this naturally caused suspicion among voters who were already anxious about the voting process.

He said some polling stations had no voting booths, leaving voters to mark their ballots on tables.

Kayanda said this raised serious concerns about whether voters could make their choices privately.

He said there were also reports of voters being watched while marking their ballots.

In another case, Kayanda said five voter cards were reportedly confiscated from a voter suspected of being a party cadre, and the voter was not allowed to cast a ballot.

He said polling staff were also accused of giving preference to people they knew, leaving other voters complaining about unfair treatment.

Kayanda said the consortium had also received reports of campaigning at polling stations involving prominent candidates and party representatives.

He said rumours and misinformation about the movement of pre-marked ballot papers reportedly fuelled tension and contributed to violence in some places.

For journalists covering the election, Kayanda said the situation was equally troubling.

He said media workers were reportedly harassed by suspected UPND members who interfered with their work, while a female police officer was also allegedly intimidated by suspected party cadres.

Kayanda said the consortium was particularly disturbed by reports involving female journalists.

At Maramba Polling Station, he said, a Zambezi FM journalist was allegedly roughed up by police officers and had footage deleted while she was doing her job.

Kayanda said a ZANIS journalist was also reportedly assaulted by party cadres in Olympia.

He condemned the incidents, saying journalists should not have to fear being attacked simply for doing their work.

Kayanda said the media had a responsibility to tell Zambians what was happening on the ground and must therefore be allowed to work without intimidation.

He also raised concern over reports of police officers being harassed.

Kayanda said police officers were on the ground to maintain order and protect citizens and should also be treated with respect as they carried out their duties.

The consortium also received reports of violence in some communities.

Kayanda said polling staff and voters in Makululu Compound in Kabwe were reportedly pelted with stones.

He condemned the incident, saying no voter should have to face violence or fear simply for turning up to vote.

Kayanda was also concerned about reports of suspected party cadres taking charge of polling stations.

He said some cadres were reportedly “manning” a polling station, despite that responsibility belonging to authorised election officials and security personnel.

Kayanda warned that such behaviour could frighten voters, create confusion and undermine confidence in the election.

He called on authorities to ensure that polling stations remained in the hands of those legally authorised to run and secure them.

Kayanda also raised concern over reports of Zambia Army officers at Celeste Primary School Polling Station in Masaiti-Mbala.

He said the consortium understood the need for security, especially during elections, but questioned the presence of military personnel at polling stations.

According to Kayanda, voters could become anxious when they see soldiers at places where they have gone to exercise their democratic right.

He said election security should be handled in a way that reassures citizens rather than frightens them.

Kayanda called on the ECZ to quickly deal with the problems being reported, particularly delayed openings, changes to polling stations, shortages of materials and concerns over voter secrecy.

He also appealed to political parties and their supporters to give journalists space to do their work and to stop intimidation and interference.

Kayanda urged police officers to remain professional and protect everyone taking part in the election.

He appealed to political parties and candidates to show restraint and avoid actions that could frighten or intimidate voters, journalists and election officials.

Kayanda also urged Zambians to remain calm, reject rumours and misinformation and stay away from violence.

He said although the problems reported at some polling stations had understandably frustrated voters, the consortium remained hopeful that the situation could be managed.

Kayanda urged authorities to move quickly to fix the problems so that every eligible Zambian who wants to vote is given a fair chance to do so.