VIEWS FROM ROME
Risking a legitimacy crisis: ECZ must rebuild public trust before the ballots are cast
THE recent appearance of Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview has generated noteworthy public debate.
In the interview, Ms Zaloumis sought to justify the removal of certain security features on ballot papers, arguing that their presence contributed to an unusually high number of spoiled ballots in previous elections. She also addressed the role of party Secretaries General, urging political parties to appoint credible and trustworthy individuals, while defending the proposal for the Commission to have legal authority to disqualify candidates where necessary.
According to Ms Zaloumis, these reforms are intended to cure the problem in the electoral process.
Further, she assured the nation that the ongoing delimitation of constituencies and the introduction of a proportional representation electoral system will be implemented fairly, transparently, and strictly in accordance with the Constitution.
She indicated that the Commission is conducting nationwide consultations across all 116 districts as part of the delimitation exercise, which is expected to result in the creation of 70 new constituencies.
Ms Zaloumis emphasised that the exercise is guided by the law, and will take into account the population size, geographical considerations, historical representation, and equity. She maintained that no region would be neglected in favor of urban centers and rejected allegations that constituency boundaries could be drawn in a manner that advantages any political party.
According to her, the Commission has deliberately decentralised consultations to districts and provinces to ensure citizens and stakeholders have an opportunity to make submissions before final decisions are taken.
However, for many observers, some of the explanations advanced during the interview raise more questions than they answer. The justification for removing ballot security features, in particular, appears insufficient when weighed against the overriding need to safeguard electoral integrity.
Electoral reforms, especially those touching on ballot security, delimitation and candidate eligibility, require a heightened edge of transparency and public consensus. Where reforms appear rushed or inadequately explained, suspicion naturally arises.
Elections are not merely about the procedure of casting ballots. They are about public confidence in the entire process and electoral legitimacy depends as much on perception as it does on procedure. If citizens begin to doubt the neutrality or independence of the Commission, even well-intentioned reforms risk being interpreted as partisan maneuvers or to borrow Hakainde Hichilema’s own words “imingalato”.
The Commission must also be mindful of the wider political context. Following the controversy surrounding Bill No. 7 and ongoing concerns about perceived bias in the administration of justice and the selective application of laws by law enforcement agencies, among others, public trust in state institutions remains delicate. In such an environment, any reform that materially alters electoral planning must be handled with exceptional caution, inclusivity and patience.
Therefore, rather than appearing to bulldoze contentious proposals, the Commission should prioritise deep, well-documented consultation, transparent publication of technical justifications and sufficient time for stakeholder review. It must be noted that public reassurance cannot be demanded but it must be earned through openness, accountability and demonstrable fairness.
Ultimately, the success of these reforms will not be measured merely by their legal compliance, but by whether the Zambian people feel confident that the electoral system remains credible, independent and protected from partisan advantage. Building that confidence is not marginal to elections, it is actually central to them.
More importantly, the credibility and eventually the legitimacy of any government that emerges from an election is attached to the fairness, ethical conduct and democratic integrity of the ECZ. Elections do not merely produce leaders, they confer authority, and that authority is only as strong as the public’s confidence and trust in the process that birthed it.
In the current political climate, public doubt toward government institutions is not imagined. Many citizens openly express misgivings about the neutrality of state systems, and whether justified or not, those perceptions shape national discourse. In such an environment, the ECZ cannot afford even the appearance of bias because trust once eroded is very difficult to restore.
It is therefore imperative that Ms Zaloumis approaches every proposed reform and every administrative decision with sensitive caution, noticeable fairness and uncompromising transparency, particularly in light of accusations, however contested, that she may be inclined toward the ruling party.
Leadership in such a sensitive constitutional office demands not only actual fairness, but visible fairness. The burden of proof rests on the Commission to show through its conduct that it is above partisan influence.
Ms Zaloumis has both a challenge and an opportunity to safeguard her personal credibility and to protect the institutional reputation of the ECZ. Historically, the Commission has earned regional and international recognition for transparency, accountability and professionalism in administering elections. It has been regarded as one of Zambia’s most respected constitutional bodies, which is a source of national pride in moments of political contention.
This reputation must not be compromised. Naturally, these institutions are delicate. Despite them being built over decades they can be weakened in a single electoral cycle if confidence collapses. The responsibility to preserve that institutional integrity squarely rests heavily on the current leadership of the Commission.
At last, public trust must be secured before ballots are cast and not after results are announced. Confidence in the electoral process cannot be retroactively manufactured. It must be cultivated in advance through inclusive consultation, procedural clarity and visible adherence to constitutional principles.
If the ECZ succeeds in restoring and strengthening that trust, the legitimacy of the next government regardless of which party prevails will certainly stand on firm democratic ground.
Without a doubt, the moment calls for restraint, openness and leadership that reassures rather than divides. The Commission’s greatest asset now is public confidence, and preserving it must be its foremost priority.
In conclusion, the integrity of Zambia’s democracy hinges not only on the letter of the law but on the spirit in which it is administered. The ECZ stands at a defining moment. Its decisions in this reform process will either strengthen public trust or deepen existing doubts. The Commission must therefore act with deliberate transparency, broad consultation and visible neutrality.
Electoral reforms should unite the nation around shared democratic principles, not divide it along partisan lines. If the ECZ conducts itself with fairness, accountability and constitutional trustworthiness, it will reinforce the legitimacy of the next government and preserve Zambia’s democratic standing. If it fails to do so, the consequences will extend beyond one election cycle.
The responsibility is heavy, but it is also clear, ECZ must safeguard the credibility of the process, protect the reputation of the institution, and ensure that every Zambian approaches the ballot box with confidence rather than suspicion.
Author: Albrecht Chinyama is a Zambian based in Rome, Italy.
