SEOM leadership observes opening of polling stations in Lusaka, as Zambia votes

88 Views The SADC Election Observation Mission was on the ground in Zambia’s capital on Thursday morning as voters began casting ballots in the 2026 General Elections. Head of Mission Samuel B. Tembenu, SC, former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Malawi, led the SEOM leadership on visits to polling stations in Lusaka to […]

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The SADC Election Observation Mission was on the ground in Zambia’s capital on Thursday morning as voters began casting ballots in the 2026 General Elections.

Head of Mission Samuel B. Tembenu, SC, former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Malawi, led the SEOM leadership on visits to polling stations in Lusaka to witness opening procedures and the start of voting.

The delegation was present at Kabulonga Boys Secondary School, one of Lusaka’s designated voting centers, where they observed pre-voting processes before ballots were cast.

At Kabulonga Boys, SEOM watched as presiding officers carried out standard checks required before polls open.

Election officials displayed empty ballot boxes to party agents and observers, verified voting materials including ballot papers, indelible ink and voter registers, and sealed the boxes with numbered tags. Once the process was complete, voting was officially declared open at 06:00 hours.

Tembenu and members of his team moved through the station, speaking briefly with Electoral Commission of Zambia officials and party representatives. They noted the presence of accredited observers and security personnel, and the arrangement of voting booths to ensure secrecy.

“What we observed this morning reflects the ECZ’s preparedness in terms of opening procedures,” a member of the SEOM delegation said. “The materials were available and the process was transparent.”

Outside, voters began forming queues before sunrise. Many arrived with umbrellas and chairs and waited patiently as officials completed setup.

The visit to Lusaka forms part of SEOM’s broader observation of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections. The mission is assessing the electoral process against the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, adopted in 2021.

Those principles outline benchmarks for democratic elections in the region, including transparency of the legal framework, inclusivity, access to information, the role of security institutions, and credible management of the vote.

According to SEOM, more than 100 observers have been deployed to all 10 provinces of Zambia. The teams are monitoring every key stage of Election Day.

That includes the opening of polling stations, the conduct of voting, the closing and counting of ballots, and the transmission and tabulation of results at constituency totaling centers.

Observers are filing reports from urban centers such as Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe, as well as from rural districts in Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, Muchinga, Luapula, North-Western and Central provinces.

The mission says its presence is at the invitation of the Government of Zambia and the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

In a statement, SEOM said it will carry out its work objectively, impartially and independently throughout the election period.

“The Mission is here to support the people of Zambia in their democratic exercise,” the statement read. “Our observers will assess the process and report on whether it meets regional standards.”

SEOM is one of several regional and international observer missions in Zambia for these elections. Others include teams from the African Union, COMESA, and various international NGOs.

The observers are expected to remain in the country through the announcement of results. A preliminary statement with initial findings will be issued in the coming days, followed by a comprehensive final report.

Zambia’s 2026 General Elections are covering the presidency, parliamentary seats, and local government positions. More than 8 million voters are registered nationwide.

Polling stations opened at 06:00 hours and are scheduled to close in the evening, after which counting will begin at each station in the presence of party agents and observers.

The ECZ has said it will announce results progressively once they are verified and received from constituencies.

At Kabulonga Boys, voting proceeded without incident through the morning. Party agents were seated at tables with copies of the voter register. Voters were checked against the register before receiving ballots and proceeding to booths.

For many Zambians, Thursday’s vote is a routine civic exercise. For regional bodies like SADC, it is also a test of democratic practice in southern Africa.

After Lusaka, the Head of Mission’s delegation is scheduled to travel to other parts of the country to continue observation.

As the day progresses, SEOM teams will continued to monitor stations, speak with stakeholders, and document the process.

The Mission said it will engage with the ECZ, political parties, civil society and other stakeholders as part of its assessment before issuing its preliminary findings.