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Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has flagged the increasing involvement of traditional leaders and public officials in partisan politics as one of the biggest threats to the credibility of the 13th August 2026 elections.
TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe said the observations were based on reports from long-term election observers deployed across the country.
In its Fourth Elections Project Update issued under the Kuteteza Masankho election project, Nyambe said TI-Z was focusing on three key issues namely partisan engagement by traditional leaders and public officials, continued political violence and intimidation, and the need for issue-based campaigns.
He said the update aimed to objectively highlight developments in the electoral environment as polling day approached.
On traditional leaders, Nyambe expressed concern over endorsements from both ruling and opposition sides.
“TI-Z has noted with growing concern the increasing involvement of traditional leaders and public officials in partisan political activities, as well as the rise in political statements that have the potential to deepen tribal and regional divisions during the campaign period,” he stated.
Nyambe listed Senior Chief Puta, Chief Chikupili, Chief Kanyesha, Chief Hamusonde and Chief Chitambo as having publicly pledged support for President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND.
On the opposition side, Nyambe cited Senior Chief Mununga, Chief Mwamba and Senior Chief Nsama for backing Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance Brian Mundubile’s presidential bid.
He warned that such endorsements risked undermining electoral integrity and cited the law.
“TI-Z wishes to draw stakeholders’ attention to Section 3(1)(i) of the Electoral Code of Conduct under the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, which states in no uncertain terms that one of the functions of the Electoral Commission of Zambia during an election is to ‘ensure that traditional leaders do not exert undue influence on their subjects to support a particular political party or candidate’,” Nyambe said.
He challenged the ECZ to enforce the provision under Section 110 of the Act, arguing that failure to do so made the Commission complicit in undermining democracy.
Nyambe also condemned the conduct of public officials engaging in politics, singling out Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea.
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“TI-Z further notes with grave concern the public remarks by Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda, who openly declared that he, being a serving diplomat and civil servant, had returned to Zambia to campaign for President Hakainde Hichilema,” he said.
Nyambe called on the Secretary to Cabinet to institute disciplinary measures against Banda, noting that active participation in politics by civil servants constitutes gross misconduct under the 2023 Disciplinary Code.
On political violence, Nyambe expressed deep concern by attacks and intimidation reported during this period and cited the killing of a driver in Magoye, disruption of a meeting in Livingstone, an assault in Petauke and the death of Nelson Chikubi of John Laing Township.
“We further wish to strongly condemn the circumstances that led to the death of Nelson Chikubi of Lusaka’s John Laing Township, who allegedly died after being assaulted by suspected UPND cadres following an incident involving a radio station playing an opposition campaign song,” he stated.
Nyambe urged the Zambia Police Service to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, keep the public updated on progress and further called for a shift from personality-driven debates to policy discussions.
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