Preliminary Statement: AU and  COMESA Observation Mission To The 13th August 2026 General Election in Zambia

The joint African Union (AU) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Election Observation Mission has officially issued its preliminary statement regarding the conduct of Zambia's fiercely contested 13 August 2026 general elections. Led by former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, the observation delegation evaluated the pre-election environment, voting procedures, and the initial stages of tallying across all ten provinces of the country. In its comprehensive preliminary assessment released in Lusaka, the mission commended the resilience and enthusiasm of the Zambian electorate, noting that voting proceeded in a largely peaceful and orderly manner across the majority of polling stations. The observation team also acknowledged the logistical efforts undertaken by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the complete domestic funding of the electoral process, which marks a significant milestone in national ownership of democratic exercises. However, the AU-COMESA mission did not shy away from highlighting critical areas requiring urgent institutional reform. The preliminary report drew attention to isolated incidents of political tension, logistical hiccups, and anxieties sparked by temporary delays during the collation of results. Observers emphasized the necessity for enhanced transparency and continuous, clear communication from electoral authorities to maintain public trust during the critical post-voting window. Stakeholders across the political spectrum have been urged to exercise utmost restraint, reject violence, and respect the constitutional mandate of the ECZ. The mission stressed that any grievances regarding the electoral outcome must be channeled exclusively through established legal mechanisms and courts of law rather than the streets. As Zambia awaits the final tabulation of presidential and parliamentary results, international observers remain on the ground to monitor the conclusion of the process. The de