ECZ commissions 2026 National Election Results Centre in Lusaka

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has officially opened the 2026 National Election Results Centre in Lusaka situated at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Speaking during the commissioning of the Centre today, ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, called for…

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has officially opened the 2026 National Election Results Centre in Lusaka situated at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Centre today, ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, called for transparency, professionalism and respect for the democratic process during the results management period.

Ms Zaloumis said the media has a critical role to play in promoting transparency and providing accurate information to the public during the electoral process.

She implored journalists to report objectively, independently and in accordance with their accreditation, while ensuring that information is verified before publication or broadcast.

Ms Zaloumis said the media should rely on official results issued by the Commission and avoid amplifying speculation and unverified claims.

She said inaccurate figures and misleading information can spread rapidly, particularly through social media and other digital platforms.

Ms Zaloumis also urged the citizens to exercise caution over information circulating online, noting that photographs, documents, figures and other claims may be genuine, incomplete, taken out of context or entirely false.

The Chairperson encouraged the public to rely on official information from the ECZ and remain patient as the established results management processes are completed.

Ms Zaloumis, who was flanked by her Vice Vincent Mukanda, three Commissioners and Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro, further appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid using unofficial or unverified information in ways that could create unnecessary tension, confusion and mistrust.

She said the launch of the National Election Results Centre is more than the opening of a physical facility, as it demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to making the presidential election results announcement process accessible to stakeholders and conducting it with the seriousness it deserves.

Ms Zaloumis said all stakeholders operating from the Centre should comply with established procedures and cooperate with officials responsible for its operations.

Meanwhile, ECZ Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Victor Kachaka, said the Commission has put in place systems to facilitate the management and display of election results from the voting stage through to the announcement of results.

Dr Kachaka said internet connectivity will also be provided to facilitate access to the electoral results system.

He explained that the results display portal will enable users to access results and analyse trends at different levels, including provinces and constituencies.

Dr Kachaka said the portal will initially display presidential candidates in alphabetical order, but the figures will be updated as results are officially announced by the Commission.

He said the system will enable stakeholders to follow the results as they are progressively received and displayed by the Commission.