European Union deploys 100 election observers ahead of August polls

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has deployed 32 short-term observers across Zambia ahead of the August 13 general election, increasing its election-day presence to about 100 observers.

The deployment is aimed at strengthening the mission’s observation of polling day activities, including the opening of polling stations, voting, ballot counting and the tabulation of results.

The short-term observers will join 32 long-term observers who have been monitoring the electoral process across all 10 provinces since late June, alongside an 11-member core team of election experts based in Lusaka.

The mission will also include a delegation from the European Parliament and diplomats from European Union member states and Norway.

Speaking during the deployment in Lusaka on Sunday, Deputy Chief Observer, Beata Martin-Rozumiłowicz, said the observers would be deployed to both rural and urban areas nationwide to independently assess the conduct of the elections.

“This day marks an important stage in the work of the EU Election Observation Mission, as our short-term observers will join long-term observers across Zambia,” she said.

Martin-Rozumiłowicz said the observers would monitor polling stations from opening through voting and counting to the tabulation of results, adding that their findings would contribute to the mission’s independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process.

Before deployment, the observers underwent briefings on Zambia’s legal framework, the political environment, election-day procedures, security arrangements and the European Union’s standard election observation methodology.

The mission, led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, has been in Zambia since late June following an invitation from the Zambian authorities.

According to the mission, observers are monitoring all aspects of the electoral process, including election administration, voter registration, campaign activities, campaign financing, media coverage, online and social media, participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities, as well as the handling of electoral complaints and appeals.

The mission said its observers were bound by a strict code of conduct requiring neutrality, impartiality and non-interference in the electoral process, with their role limited to observing, assessing and reporting on the conduct of the elections.

The EU Election Observation Mission is expected to release its preliminary assessment of the elections and hold a press conference in Lusaka on August 15, two days after polling.

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