- Says findings lack sufficient historical, institutional, security context
GRACE CHAILE,
MARY LEMBA
Lusaka
GOVERNMENT has challenged aspects of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)’s final report on the 2026 general elections, arguing that some findings lack sufficient historical, institutional and security context.
Yesterday, European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, presented its final report to President Hakainde Hichilema at State House, where it also congratulated him on his re lection in the August general election.
However, EU EOM, in its report, also raises concern over security, media freedom and access as well as transparency in the electoral process, and makes recommendations for future elections.
Responding to some of the concerns raised in the report, Chief Government Spokesperson Elvis Nkandu said the report risks presenting an incomplete picture of Zambia’s democratic development by failing to adequately contextualise some of the issues raised.
“First, the Government was not afforded sufficient opportunity to provide historical, institutional and security context regarding a number of issues upon which significant conclusions appear to have been based. As a result, certain findings risk presenting an incomplete picture of Zambia’s democratic journey. In a democracy, context matters as much as observation,” he said.
In a statement issued yesterday in response to the report, Mr Nkandu, who is Minister of Information and Media, said Government appreciated the mission’s acknowledgement that the elections offered Zambians a competitive choice, polling staff administered voting efficiently and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was adequately prepared.
However, he said Government has concerns about some conclusions and recommendations, particularly those relating to electoral reforms, public broadcasting, security and media freedom.
Mr Nkandu said the report’s concerns about legal and electoral reforms undertaken close to the elections created the impression that such changes under President Hakainde Hichilema were unprecedented.
He cited constitutional changes under former Presidents Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba and Edgar Lungu, including the introduction of multi-party democracy, the parentage clause and the 50 per cent plus one electoral threshold, arguing that previous administrations had also undertaken reforms during election years.
“To present the 2026 reforms without this historical context risks creating a misleading impression that the current administration acted in a manner unprecedented in Zambia’s democratic development,” he said. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home