GUARDIANS OF THE NATION: Why the Zambia Army’s Role in Election Security Protects Democracy
In recent weeks, the decision to deploy the Zambia Army to bolster internal security during general elections has generated intense national debate. Commentators, including respected retired military personnel, have expressed reservations, arguing that bringing the military into domestic security operations risks entangling our armed forces in the political arena. Some have gone so far as to label the engagement unprofessional or unethical.
However, a fair, objective, and strategic evaluation of civil-military relations reveals a fundamentally different narrative: the Zambia Army is not interfering in politics; it is fulfilling a constitutional imperative to safeguard peace, protect public interest, and preserve the integrity of our democratic process.
To understand the deployment of the military during national elections, one must first look to the constitutional framework governing our nation. Under the Constitution of Zambia, the Republican President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
This title is far more than symbolic; it carries the ultimate constitutional obligation to ensure the safety of every citizen, maintain public order, and protect the state against threats both external and internal.
The President does not act in a vacuum. The decision to call upon the defense forces is informed by rigorous, actionable intelligence provided by the state’s security apparatus.
Riots and other disturbances may create hurdles in elections but it would be more appropriate if the will of people is upheld for formation of Government through electoral process. Therefore, the President’s decision to call for the Zambia Army support is commendable and a cherished effort in upholding democracy.
When intelligence reports indicate heightened security risks, political violence, or potential lawlessness that could overwhelm conventional civilian law enforcement, the Commander-in-Chief must act decisively. Deploying the Zambia Army in an auxiliary role to support the Zambia Police Service is a proactive, intelligence-driven measure designed to prevent unrest before it erupts. It is an act of responsible statecraft aimed entirely at protecting innocent lives and public property.
Critics who frame the military’s presence as a novel or partisan maneuver overlook both national history and institutional reality. The engagement of the armed forces to secure general elections is neither unprecedented in Zambia nor tied to any single political administration.
In the lead-up to the 2021 general elections, former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu similarly authorized the deployment of the military, including the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, and Zambia National Service to reinforce police efforts following escalating political violence.
That decision, much like current operational measures, was rooted in the state’s duty to maintain stability. The Zambia Army is a professional, non-partisan institution bound by oath to serve the nation and the Constitution, regardless of which political party forms government. Recognizing this historical continuity underscores a vital truth: the military operates as a neutral guarantor of order, not an instrument of political influence.
Around the globe, the deployment of armed forces during high-stakes elections is a recognized and widely accepted practice in mature and emerging democracies alike. South Africa, Ghana, India and Brazil, all routinely rely on their militaries to secure electoral periods. In these jurisdictions, the military plays two distinct, essential roles:
• Logistical Support: Defence forces provide critical support, delivering ballot materials to remote, inaccessible terrain and ensuring that every citizen can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
• Deterrence and Deterring Intimidation: The presence of highly disciplined, well-trained soldiers acts as a powerful deterrent against cadre violence, voter intimidation, and criminal disorder.
Overall, the practice in Africa is that the Army is widely used in elections to do the following tasks:
1. guard and secure and transport security sensitive material.
2. securing polling stations
3. secure and transport ballot boxes.
4. transport additional material.
5. secure election commission premises.
6. secure the verification centre.
7. transport by road/helicopter ballots to remote areas.
Therefore, far from suppressing democracy, a professional military presence actively enables it. By creating a calm and secure environment, the Army ensures that citizens can walk to polling stations without fear, cast their ballots freely, and accept the democratic outcome with confidence.
By law and military tradition, serving members of the Zambia Army cannot enter the political arena to address public criticism, debate commentators, or defend their actions. They carry out their duties in disciplined silence. Unfairly attacking our prime military unit or questioning their ethics during times of national duty risks eroding public trust in the very institution that stands as our final line of defense.
The Zambia Army’s role during elections is auxiliary and works strictly in aid of civil power to preserve law and order. In this regard, calling on citizens to support our soldiers is not a matter of partisan alignment; it is a matter of national unity. As Zambia continues to set an example of democratic resilience across the region, let us honour and support the dedicated men and women in uniform who risk everything to keep our nation safe, peaceful, and free.
Suffice to mention that the use of the military in the 2026 general elections were restricted to maintain law and order and in no way more than that. All activities related to elections were under the direct control of the independent Higher Education Authority. This is different from West Africa where the military is used for security and logistics purposes.
Dr. Martin Mushumba
Public Policy Analyst and Higher Education Quality Assurance Expert