EU ELECTIONS OBSERVERS VISIT MUCHINGA PROVINCE AHEAD OF 2026 POLLS.
A delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) today paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Brian Sichande, as part of a comprehensive assessment of Zambia’s preparedness for the 2026 general elections.
The meeting, held at the Provincial Administration offices, focused on evaluating the electoral environment against Zambia’s national legal framework, as well as the international and regional democratic commitments the country has pledged to uphold.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Sichande welcomed the mission and reiterated government’s commitment to delivering credible, transparent, and peaceful elections. He emphasized that the presence of the EU observers demonstrates Zambia’s openness to international scrutiny and its dedication to strengthening democratic governance.
“Zambia has a proud history of peaceful transitions, and the 2026 elections will be no exception. We value the technical insights and recommendations provided by international observers to help us align with best practices,” Mr. Sichande stated.
The EU delegation explained that their mission is a long-term observation effort designed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the entire electoral cycle. The team is assessing key benchmarks, including voter registration processes, the independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the delimitation of constituencies, campaign regulations, and the media environment.
Beyond the legal and institutional framework, the observers are measuring Zambia’s compliance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and other international obligations.
The tour of Muchinga Province signals the mission’s commitment to gathering perspectives from beyond Lusaka.
The EU EOM is expected to remain in the country through the election period, eventually publishing a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to support the continuous improvement of Zambia’s electoral processes.