As the campaign period came underway, CCMG continued its long-term election observation from 26 May through 8 June ahead of the 13 August general elections. During the reporting period, CCMG observed a primarily calm and peaceful electoral environment, with isolated incidents of violence, insulting or defamatory language, voter inducement, and other violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct. As a result of isolated incidents of violence, on 8 June, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), through a statement posted on Facebook, suspended campaigning in Mazabuka Central Constituency and condemned violence in Kabwe Central and Chawama Constituencies.

CCMG continues to implement its long-term election observation project ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Elections. This second reporting period, covering 31 March to 27 April 2026, builds on the baseline established during the first observation period and assesses how the pre-election environment is evolving as political activity intensifies ahead of nominations and the official campaign period.

Long-Term Observation (LTO) of the pre-election period is essential for evaluating the integrity of the electoral process. Elections are complex events that unfold within a wider legal, political, and social framework. LTO is the systematic and continuous monitoring of the electoral environment before election day, focusing on legal frameworks, electoral administration, political conduct, voter participation, and security conditions to assess the overall integrity, inclusiveness, and credibility of the electoral process.

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group extends its appreciation to all individuals and organisations whose contributions made the observation and documentation of the 2025 Voter Registration exercise possible. CCMG is deeply grateful to all its 336 voter registration observers who were deployed across the country. Their commitment, professionalism, and resilience under challenging conditions were central to the collection of accurate, timely, and credible data that informed this report.

Voter registration is one of the most complex and most expensive activities within the framework of elections. The quality of this process and the product, that is, the register of voters, determines the outcome of an election and consequently the stability of democratic institutions in a country. The core purpose of voter registration is to guarantee that the voting age population (VAP) can register as voters, while prohibiting those ineligible from doing so. The International IDEA’s International Electoral Standards (2002) require that voter registers be maintained in a manner that is transparent and accurate, protects the rights of qualified citizens to register, and prevents the unlawful or fraudulent registration or removal of persons.