By 
The Human Rights Commission has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to adopt a proactive, timely and transparent approach to announcing results of the just-ended General Elections.
The call comes a day after ECZ suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide, citing escalating violence and theft of ballot materials in parts of the country but later rescinded its decision.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Commission Chairperson, Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, said delays in providing official updates were creating anxiety and risking public confidence in the electoral process.
Sambo noted that while security concerns were valid, the right to information should also be protected during this critical period.
“The Human Rights Commission is urging the Electoral Commission of Zambia to adopt a proactive, timely and transparent approach towards disclosure of results of the just-ended General Elections, in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia and the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023,” she said.
Sambo also condemned reported attacks on polling staff and the theft of marked ballot papers, describing them as a threat to democracy.
“Such criminal acts are unacceptable; they endanger electoral officials, compromise national security and the integrity of the entire electoral process,” she stated.
Sambo added that such incidents ultimately undermined citizens’ constitutional right to participate in public affairs and elect leaders of their choice.
She further urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and impartially.
“All perpetrators of electoral and other types of violence must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” Sambo said.
She acknowledged that ECZ was empowered under Section 73 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 to suspend result announcements to protect officials, voters and materials.
“However, the Electoral Commission of Zambia must exercise all powers under the Electoral Process Act proportionately, without unjustifiably limiting any constitutional rights and freedoms, particularly the right to freedom of information,” Sambo noted.
She warned that information vacuum could fuel speculation and misinformation, heighten tensions and culminate in eroded public confidence in the electoral process.
Sambo urged ECZ to provide regular public updates, arguing that transparency was key to maintaining peace and credibility.
She also appealed to political parties, candidates and the public to remain calm and allow the electoral process to proceed peacefully, while giving ECZ the space to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
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