Transparency International Zambia(TI-Z) has flagged serious concerns around transparency in the results-management process, uneven campaign conditions, and gaps in Zambia’s electoral laws in the judt ended 2026 general elections which were largely peaceful and competitive in many areas.
In a post election statement, TI-Z Executive Director, Mauruce Nyambe says the organization through its Kuteteza Masankho Project, has released its post-election statement on the 13th August general elections, based on monitoring conducted by 203 observers deployed across 112 of Zambia’s 116 districts.
Mr. Nyambe says the legal framework for the elections was largely adequate but was however, undermined by inconsistent enforcement, limited regulation of campaign financing, and the absence of constitutionally mandated legislation on political parties and political finance, which weakened transparency and the level playing field among candidates.
He has commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia for several positive measures, including voter education initiatives and timely public explanations on ballot-paper matters However states that same openness was not maintained during counting, results tabulation, and announcement, citing delayed instructions, restricted stakeholder access at some totalling centres, and delays in publishing results online.
Mr. Nyambe has also raised concern over reports that some aspiring candidates were offered financial inducements to withdraw from the race, including one alleged offer of 800,000 Kwacha, which the candidate reportedly declined.
TI-Z says this exposes a vulnerability in the law, since political parties cannot replace a candidate who withdraws after nominations close.
He adds that TI-Z has also noted that seven parliamentary seats were won unopposed, all in UPND strongholds, a development it says warrants further examination over its implications for democratic competition.
Mr. Nyambe further adds that TI-Z monitored 218 electoral events between May and June, finding 73 percent were peaceful however says the period was nonetheless marked by political intimidation, vote-buying allegations, and an uneven playing field favouring the ruling party, and acknowledges both the UPND and the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance ran visible campaigns.
The Executive Director highlights that only 79 of 468 targeted parliamentary candidates voluntarily disclosed their campaign financing, and it calls for stronger laws on political funding disclosure.
Mr. Nyambe highlights that TI-Z applied its Integrity Index methodology and recorded a national score of 61.73 percent, based on assessments from 221 stressing that the figures are not a measure of vote validity but a risk-based indicator, and it has flagged 32 constituencies for procedural irregularities, including unsealed ballot boxes and delays in issuing Gen 20 forms.
He has also indicated that TI-Z formally wrote to the ECZ on 14th August seeking clarification on results transmission procedures, and while the Commission responded on 16th August, TI-Z says the explanation did not fully address its concerns over interruptions, inconsistent instructions, and the involvement of security personnel at some totalling centres.
Mr. Nyambe says the organisation is calling on the ECZ to transparently review the 32 flagged constituencies, publish a standard operating procedure for results verification, and ensure Gen 20 forms are signed and shared with stakeholders before results are announced highlighting that electoral reform should begin now and be pursued transparently throughout the electoral cycle.
By Mutinta Hamusankwa
