Zambia ready for free and fair elections

By Ennie Kishiki Mutepuka.

Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, has assured the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) that Zambia through the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is ready to conduct free and fair elections.

Speaking during a meeting with the Southern Africa Development Commission Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) delegation, Mr. Kabesha, highlighted the progress that Zambia has made in strengthening its democratic and electoral governance framework ahead of the 2026 Presidential and General election.

Mr. Kabesha, explained that Zambia through the New Dawn Administration remains committed to holding free, fair, peaceful and credible elections. Government continues to implement legal institutional, and governance reforms to enhance citizen participation and build public confidence in the electoral process.

He said that Zambia has undertaken significant reforms in response to the recommendations of the SADC Electoral Observer Missions and other stakeholders that are aimed at strengthening governance, expanding the civic space and improving participation ahead of the 2026 polls.

He stated Zambia has introduced the Electoral Process (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which strengthens electoral credibility and transparency by improving procedures on Voter Registration, Electoral Offences and enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

And Southern Africa Development Committee Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) delegation leader, Ambassador Joseph André Nourrice, told the Attorney General that they were in the country to assess how ready the country was to hold elections in August this year.

Amb. Nourrice, stated that his delegation was also interested to learn how the amendments to the Constitution and other laws were going to impact the electoral process.

He expressed gratitude to the warm reception that the Zambian Government has accorded to his team for them to freely conduct an assessment on the levels of preparedness ahead of the 2026 Presidential and general elections in Zambia.

Zambia is set to hold the general elections on the 13th August 2026.