Poll credibility doubtful – political activist
By Thandizo Banda
THE credibility of the fast approaching 2026 general elections hangs by a thread, political activist Dr Lawrence Mwelwa has observed.
“The voter registration exercise has started on a deeply worrying note. What should have been a moment of national mobilisation has instead exposed glaring signs of disorganisation, silence and incompetence,” Dr Mwelwa said.
He said it was no longer about logistics but trust in the institution mandated to safeguard Zambia’s democracy, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
“From the first day, the voter registration exercise has been marred by confusion and apathy. Centres opened without prior public awareness, voter education never kicked off, and many citizens across districts woke up to find no clear information on where or when to register,” Dr Mwelwa said.
He noted the ongoing electoral process that began on October 13 with so much at stake felt more like a secret operation than a national exercise.
“If the figures circulating are anywhere close to the truth, the situation is dire. With only a few thousand new voters recorded in a month, it would take fourteen months – not thirty days – to reach the target of three million new registrations. How then does ECZ expect to deliver a credible register by 11th November?” he said.
“What we are witnessing is a commission that appears unprepared, underfunded, and perhaps unwilling to meet the standards of transparency and efficiency expected of a constitutional body.”
Dr Mwelwa said the late release of deployment plans, malfunctioning kits, centres that opened late or not at all and the lack of monitors in many areas were symptoms of something much deeper than poor management.
“The chairperson of the commission, Madam Mwangala Zaloumis, must be held to account. If she cannot competently manage the voter registration process – a relatively straightforward, preparatory phase – how will she handle the immense logistical and political pressure of election day? The question Zambians are now asking is simple but chilling: is this incompetence, or is it part of a deliberate rigging scheme?” Dr Mwelwa stated.
He said ECZ’s silence in the face of growing public frustration was fueling suspicion.
Dr Mwelwa said the procurement of registration kits under opaque conditions, the lack of communication with stakeholders and the uneven opening of centres in opposition strongholds all paint a disturbing picture.
Democracy could not thrive where transparency died.
