LUSAKA-With Zambia’s General Elections only two days away, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) devoted 11 August 2026 to listening to voices from across the country’s political, civil society, legal and international community.
The Mission engaged Reverend Sambo, Vice-President of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD)/New National Party; Mr Gideon Musonda, Executive Director of Governance, Elections Research Services (GEARS) and Chairperson of the Zambia Council of NGOs; the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zambia; Human Rights Commission of Zambia; and the leadership of the Law Association of Zambia.
During the engagement with UNDP Zambia, discussions highlighted efforts to promote the inclusive participation of all citizens in the electoral process, safeguard electoral integrity and support a peaceful electoral environment.
UNDP Zambia also shared its work in supporting electoral law and policy reforms, strategic communication and the development of gender-responsive and inclusive policies.
Each engagement brought a distinct perspective to the Mission’s understanding of Zambia’s electoral landscape from political participation, justice and democratic governance to electoral preparedness, inclusion and peace.
The insights gathered will complement the observations of SEOM teams deployed across all Zambia,s Provinces and contribute to the Mission’s independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process.