Following the declaration of a vacancy in the National Assembly, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) prescribed 15 January 2026 as the date on which to hold the parliamentary by-election pursuant to Article 57 of the Constitution. The Chawama parliamentary seat was declared vacant pursuant to Article 72(2) of the Constitution following the long absence of the incumbent member of parliament.
In keeping with its mandate to enhance electoral integrity in Zambia, CCMG undertook a non-partisan observation of the Chawama parliamentary by-election process. CCMG recruited, trained, and deployed seven (7) Long-Term Observers (LTOs)[1] to monitor and report on the pre-election environment, and one hundred and eleven (111) Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) Monitors[2] to all polling stations in the constituency to report on the opening, setup, voting, and counting processes on election day.
On election day, CCMG’s monitors recorded ten (10) critical incidents involving harassment, violence, voter inducement, and campaigning at polling stations. Notwithstanding these incidents, CCMG finds that the Chawama by-election met national, regional, and international standards for a credible election. CCMG further commends the peaceful campaigns that characterised the pre-election period. Based on reports from 111 PRVT Monitors, CCMG confirms that the opening, setup, voting, counting, and results tabulation were conducted in accordance with the law and established procedures. CCMG therefore independently verifies the results of the Chawama parliamentary by-election, as announced by the ECZ, as a true reflection of the votes cast.
During the campaign period, CCMG documented eight (8) violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, including acts of recording voter’s card and NRC numbers by UPND supporters, contrary to Sections 81 and 83 of the Electoral Process Act. CCMG urges the ECZ to monitor and enforce compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct as provided under Paragraph 3(2) of the Electoral Process Act.
“We urge the ECZ to attend political rallies and other political activities as a way to monitor compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct as provided under Paragraph 3(2) Electoral Process Act. Further, the ECZ should strictly enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct by sanctioning political parties, candidates, and supporters who violate the Code irrespective of political affiliation.”
CCMG further notes, with concern, allegations by Mr. Miles Sampa on the establishment of illegal polling stations located at Mutason Shopping Centre along Lilayi Road. CCMG confirms that the said polling stations legally exist as per the 2025 Polling District Listing and that CCMG had monitors stationed at the two polling stations.
“We find the allegations made about illegal polling stations unacceptable. We urge political parties, candidates, their supporters, and indeed the public to access a copy of the 2025 Polling District Listing on the ECZ website, which contains a list of all 12,200 polling stations across the country, including their polling station codes. Such false allegations undermine public trust in the ECZ and the electoral process.”
CCMG commends all contesting candidates and their supporters for largely maintaining peace and adhering to the agreed electoral timetable. Both the pre-election period and election day in Chawama Constituency were generally peaceful. CCMG further commends the Electoral Commission of Zambia and polling officials for the orderly and professional conduct of voting, counting, and results management, all of which conformed to established legal and procedural requirements. Notwithstanding these positive aspects, CCMG remains deeply concerned about the persistent use of voter inducement and the recording of voter’s card and NRC numbers as a condition for receiving handouts, practices that undermine the credibility, secrecy, and integrity of the electoral process and require more decisive action by relevant authorities
