August Polls: TI-Z lists key threats to public confidence in electoral process

With nine days to the 2026 general elections, Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has flagged the increasing use of campaign vehicles with concealed registration plates and the involvement of public officers in partisan politics as key threats to public confidence.

In its sixth Election Monitoring Update under the Kuteteza Masankho Project issued on Monday, TI-Z Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe said election monitors remained deployed in all 10 provinces to observe the electoral environment.

Nyambe highlighted three main issues namely campaign vehicles operating with obscured number plates, the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s management of ballot paper printing in Dubai, and the need for political neutrality in the Public Service.

On campaign vehicles, Nyambe said monitors had observed an increasing number of campaign vehicles operating with concealed, covered, or otherwise obscured registration number plates in different parts of the country.

“While political parties have every right to campaign freely, the concealment of registration plates raises legitimate concerns regarding transparency and accountability,” he said.

Nyambe cited Section 29 (1) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002, which makes it an offence to obscure motor vehicle registration marks and provides for fines upon conviction.

He called on both the Road Transport and Safety Agency and Zambia Police to take immediate action to stamp out this practice and bring all perpetrators to book.

Nyambe also noted that obscured plates make it difficult to determine whether vehicles were privately owned or belong to GRZ, which fuels speculation about misuse of public resources during elections.

“TI-Z therefore calls upon all political parties to ensure that campaign vehicles comply with the Road Traffic Act by displaying their registration plates at all times,” he said.

On ballot papers, Nyambe commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia for accrediting party, CSO, observer and media representatives to witness printing in Dubai, and for providing regular public updates.

He ststed that TI-Z had closely followed the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s management of the ballot paper printing exercise conducted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Nyambe, however, noted concerns over delays in arrival of ballots and costs incurred by parties to observe printing, urging ECZ to maintain openness and stakeholders to avoid unverified information.

On the Public Service, Nyambe expressed concern over continued involvement of public officers in political discourse, citing recent remarks by Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana.

“TI-Z wishes to remind Mr. Kawana and other civil servants that are engaging in active political activities whether in support of the ruling UPND or any other political party that active participation in politics by civil servants constitutes gross misconduct,” he said.

Nyambe referenced Category B of the Public Service Disciplinary Code and called on Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, to institute disciplinary measures against Kawana and Ambassador Andrew Banda.

He also raised concern over the Zambia National Service Commander’s participation in a State House engagement with the President and UNZA students during the campaign period, saying security institutions must maintain operational neutrality.

“As Zambia approaches polling day, TI-Z wishes to remind all stakeholders that the credibility of an election is not determined by what happens on polling day alone, but by the conduct of political parties, public institutions, candidates, and citizens throughout the entire electoral process,” Nyambe said.

He also rejected accusations of targeting any one party and pledged to continue objective monitoring without sugarcoating findings.

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