93 Views LUSAKA- Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has called for increased foreign election monitoring ahead of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections, saying broader international observation is critical to building public confidence in the vote. Mundubile made the remarks on Thursday after meeting with the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which is currently in […]

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LUSAKA- Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has called for increased foreign election monitoring ahead of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections, saying broader international observation is critical to building public confidence in the vote.

Mundubile made the remarks on Thursday after meeting with the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which is currently in Zambia to assess the country’s electoral environment.

“Today, we engaged the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) who are in Zambia to assess Zambia’s electoral environment ahead of the 2026 General Elections,” Mundubile said in a statement.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, while calling for greater international observation to strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.”

Push for Credibility

The meeting comes amid growing debate over the state of Zambia’s democracy ahead of the polls. The Catholic Church, civil society groups, and opposition parties have in recent months raised concerns about political space, media access, and the conduct of law enforcement during campaigns.

Mundubile said international observers play an important role in ensuring elections are not only credible, but also perceived as credible by voters.

“Zambia has a proud history of peaceful transitions,” he noted. “To protect that legacy, we need transparency at every stage — from voter registration to results management. The presence of credible international observers helps guarantee that.”

The EU EOM is in the country on a pre-election assessment mission. Such missions typically meet with government, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, political parties, civil society, and the media to evaluate preparedness and identify areas of concern ahead of deploying a full observation team during the election.

Political Context

The call for greater observation comes as campaign activity intensifies.

Mundubile has in recent days taken his campaign to the streets of Lusaka in a roadshow ahead of a major rally, focusing his message on cost of living, jobs, and democratic freedoms.

Opposition leaders have alleged instances of campaign disruptions and unequal access to state media, claims the UPND administration has denied.

President Hakainde Hichilema has maintained that his government is committed to upholding democratic principles.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has also weighed in, with ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama warning last month that “freedoms and liberties being taken away from citizens are laying the groundwork for violence.” The Church has urged all stakeholders to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

What Happens Next

The Electoral Commission of Zambia is expected to announce the official election calendar in the coming months.

Past EU observation missions to Zambia have produced recommendations on electoral law, voter education, and dispute resolution that have informed reforms.

Governance analysts say inviting more observers could help de-escalate tension.

“International observation doesn’t guarantee a perfect election, but it raises the cost of manipulation and increases transparency,” said political scientist Dr. Neo Simutowe. “For an election expected to be closely contested, that matters.”

Mundubile said the opposition remains ready to contest and to accept the outcome provided the process is transparent.

“Zambians deserve an election they can trust,” he said. “That is why we are asking our international partners to stand with us and observe closely.”

The EU delegation has not yet released findings from its assessment mission.