INTRODUCTION
The 2026 Zambia General Elections provided an opportunity to assess the country’s electoral and democratic processes and to identify areas requiring further strengthening. After the elections, several international, regional, and domestic Election Observation Missions (EOMs) issued preliminary statements highlighting key observations and areas for improvement.
Elections remain a cornerstone of democratic governance, providing citizens with an opportunity to exercise their political rights and participate in determining the leadership and direction of their country. The 2026 General Elections in Zambia were held against a backdrop of significant electoral and legal reforms and provided important experiences and lessons for further strengthening the country’s electoral processes.

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