International Observers Highlight Peaceful Elections, Extend Missions

International election observer missions have broadly praised Zambia's 2026 General Election as peaceful and well administered, presenting their preliminary findings together this morning at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. Full reports are expected within 30 days.

Leading the assessments, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission described the election as largely peaceful. Its Head of Mission, former Malawi Justice Minister Samuel B. Tembenu, SC, said the campaign had been calm in most areas, with stakeholders across the political divide describing a marked improvement on 2021. He credited the peace pledge signed by parties on 31 July and the prohibition of cadre activity. The Mission reported a peaceful atmosphere at 275 of the 277 stations it observed, voting free of irregularities at 92 percent of them, and professional police conduct at most. It commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for its timely, high-standard preparations and for resolving disputes in Chipata, Luangwa and Katete without violence.

The SADC Mission did, however, flag areas for reform including encouraging more public education and understanding of the new Mixed Member Proportional Representation system.

The joint African Union–COMESA Mission, presented by Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, deployed 93 observers from 27 countries. It said Zambia had "demonstrated important democratic gains," commending the Government's full funding of the election as a sign of national ownership, alongside the proportional-representation reforms and a diverse media landscape.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Mission, led by former Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, deployed 100 observers across all stages of the process. Dr. Masisi said the observed processes were "on the main viewed as transparent, fair, legal and peaceful," noting that provision had been made for expectant mothers and persons with disabilities.

The Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Mission, presented by Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, deployed teams to five provinces and found that election-day procedures were generally followed.

While each mission offered recommendations to strengthen future polls, their shared message was clear: Zambia's election was peaceful, credible and a further mark of the country's democratic maturity. A couple of the missions including SADC confirmed they would extend their stay in the country to observe the ongoing counting, tallying and results-management process, rather than concluding their work on polling day alone.