SADC Chair Mutharika calls for peaceful, free and fair Zambia elections.

188 ViewsSouthern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Chairperson and Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on Zambians to maintain peace and tolerance before, during and after Thursday’s general elections. In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, President Mutharika urged all eligible Zambian voters to exercise their […]

188 Views

President Peter Mutharika

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Chairperson and Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on Zambians to maintain peace and tolerance before, during and after Thursday’s general elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, President Mutharika urged all eligible Zambian voters to exercise their democratic right peacefully as the country prepares to vote on August 13.

President Mutharika, who is Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, said Zambia’s election is the only scheduled general election in the SADC region for 2026.

He said the regional bloc had demonstrated its commitment to Zambia’s democratic process, with most SADC member states deploying a large number of election observers to participate in the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM).

“The SEOM is a key part of our community, aimed at strengthening democracy through regular, credible, free, fair, and transparent elections,” President Mutharika said.

He said credible elections were important in supporting stable political and economic transitions in the region.

President Mutharika further pointed to the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which emphasise full and inclusive citizen participation in electoral and democratic processes across member states.

With Zambia heading to the polls tomorrow, the SADC Organ chairperson stressed the importance of maintaining peace and tolerance throughout the electoral period.

“My message today is to emphasize the importance of utmost respect for peace and tolerance, both during and after election day,” he said.

He encouraged all eligible voters to use the election as an opportunity to directly influence the country’s leadership by exercising their right to vote.

“I encourage all eligible voters in Zambia to seize this opportunity to directly influence their country’s leadership by voting peacefully on August 13th, 2026,” President Mutharika said.

The appeal comes as Zambia enters the final hours before voting, following a highly competitive campaign that has seen the ruling UPND, opposition parties and presidential candidates criss-cross the country seeking support.

The 2026 election will elect the President, Members of Parliament and local government representatives, with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) expected to oversee voting across the country.

SADC has traditionally deployed election observation missions to member states conducting elections, with observers expected to assess the electoral process against regional principles and guidelines.

President Mutharika’s statement places particular emphasis on the conduct of citizens and political stakeholders not only on polling day, but also in the period following the announcement of results.

The call for restraint comes amid concerns raised during the campaign over reported incidents of political violence and disruptions involving supporters of competing political parties.

With polling scheduled for Thursday, the regional appeal is for Zambians to settle political differences through the ballot and allow the electoral process to proceed peacefully.

Zambians go to the polls on Thursday, August 13, 2026.