Church group flags code violations, as voter education activities drop ahead of 2026 elections

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has reported rising political mobilisation, electoral code violations, and a sharp decline in voter education activities ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections.

CCMG’s second observation period, covering March 31 to April 27, 2026, reflects an increasingly active political environment as Zambia moves closer to nominations and the official campaign period.

In the report released in Lusaka on Monday, Group Programmes Manager Peter Mwanangombe said the findings were based on verified reports from 330 Long-Term Observers deployed across all constituencies, districts, and provinces.

During this period, CCMG observed heightened political mobilisation, intensified intra-party competition, continued stakeholder engagement on electoral reforms, and preparations by the Electoral Commission of Zambia, including training of District Electoral Officers and Returning Officers.

“While the overall electoral environment remains generally calm, CCMG noted emerging trends that require urgent attention,” Mwanangombe said.

He stated that politically motivated violence remained relatively low, with less than one percent of observers reporting incidents.

Mwanangombe said unlike the previous period, tensions were mainly characterised by intra-party disputes, particularly during internal adoption and leadership processes.

CCMG also recorded attacks on journalists and disruptions of media programming linked to intra-party disagreements.

The group said such actions undermined media freedom and violated Article 20 of the Constitution of Zambia, which guaranteed freedom of expression and the press.

“Acts of violence, intimidation, and harassment are also contrary to the Electoral Code of Conduct under the Electoral Process Act. The group further expressed concern over an increase in voter inducements,” he said.

Mwanangombe said 12 percent of CCMG’s observers reported the distribution of money, foodstuffs, cement, solar panels, sanitary kits, iron sheets, and computers as part of political mobilisation.

He said the practices may constitute voter bribery and inducement prohibited under the Electoral Process Act.

“Incidents involving the collection of National Registration Card and voter’s card details were also documented, in some cases linked to promises of access to empowerment programmes or political structures,” Mwanangombe stated.

He noted that such practices raised concerns about coercion, misuse of personal information, and abuse of public resources, in violation of Regulation 39 of the Electoral Process (Registration of Voters) Regulations.

CCMG also observed continued campaigning outside the official campaign period, with 10 percent of observers reporting early campaigning by the UPND and about 5 percent by other political parties and candidates.

“Premature campaigning is prohibited under the Electoral Process Act, which restricts campaigns to the officially prescribed period announced by ECZ,” Mwanangombe said.

He also noted youths dressed in military-style attire, wearing ski masks, and armed with tasers during political activities, emphasizing that wearing of military or security regalia by unauthorised persons contravenes Section 6 of the State Security Act.

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Mwanangombe said voter education activities declined significantly during the reporting period and reports of ECZ-led voter education dropped from 47 percent to 8 percent, while media and civil society-led education also fell.

“The reduction comes at a critical time when Zambia is undergoing constitutional and electoral reforms that require sustained public awareness,” he said.

Mwanangombe called on ECZ to strengthen proactive enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct before the official campaign period and to intensify civic and voter education nationwide.

He urged political parties to promote peaceful internal processes and refrain from practices that undermined electoral integrity.

Mwanangombe also called on Zambia Police to provide equitable security to all political actors and investigate reported incidents without fear or favour.

“It remains committed to providing independent, evidence-based election observation throughout the electoral cycle in support of peaceful and credible elections in Zambia,” he said.

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