Nyimba collection service Turnout Falls Below Half Registered Voters

Voter turnout at Nyimba Correctional Service Polling Station in Nyimba District fell below half of the total number of registered voters by the close of polling in the 2026 General Election. ‎The polling station recorded 249 voters out of 535 registered voters, representing about…

 Voter turnout at Nyimba Correctional Service Polling Station in Nyimba District fell below half of the total number of registered voters by the close of polling in the 2026 General Election.

‎The polling station recorded 249 voters out of 535 registered voters, representing about 47 percent turnout.

‎Presiding Officer Lackmate Busiku expressed disappointment with the turnout, although he said the voting process was conducted smoothly from the opening of the polling station until its closure at 18:00 hours.

 “The low turnout resulted in a significant number of registered voters not participating in the electoral process,”‎ Mr Busiku told the media.

‎He urged residents of Nyimba to turn out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote in future general elections.

‎Meanwhile, Tonse Alliance polling agent Aldon Mtulwa described the voting process at the polling station as smooth and transparent.

‎Mr Mtulwa said the polling agents inspected the ballot boxes together before voting commenced and confirmed that they were empty.

‎He said polling agents were also allowed to record the serial numbers of the ballot box seals as part of the verification process.

‎Mr Mtulwa further confirmed that polling at the station closed at exactly 18:00 hours.

‎And UPND polling agent George Mwanza expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election describing the process as credible and transparent from the opening to the closure of the polling station.

‎The polling station has since proceeded to the next stage of the electoral process, with the counting of ballots expected to take place in the presence of accredited polling agents.

 Meanhwile, almost all polling stations in Lusangazi district have recorded more than half voter turn-out.

Lusangazi District Electoral Officer Tembo Sekani said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was receiving reports from various polling stations, which indicated encouraging voter participation.

“We started on a good note. Almost all polling stations were recording more than half of the registered voters, turning up to vote,” he said.

He said the voting process started on a positive note and remained calm across the district.

“The process has been incident-free, and nothing unusual is reported to have happened,” Mr Sekani said.

Mr Sekani said his office continues to monitor the situation and receive updates from polling stations.

Voting in Zambia’s 2026 General Election took place today, August 13, with voters electing the President, Members of Parliament, Mayors/Council Chairpersons and Councillors.