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• A coalition of civil society organizations has raised concerns over Zambia's electoral environment ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections.
• The groups are calling for a peaceful, credible, and transparent process, citing concerns over an unequal political playing field and electoral violence.
• Critics argue that Zambia's electoral laws and regulations do not adequately address issues such as electoral violence and unequal access to resources.

Their concerns center around the unequal political playing field and the risk of electoral violence.

A coalition of civil society organizations has sounded the alarm over Zambia's electoral environment ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections. The groups, which issued a joint statement today, are calling for a peaceful, credible, and transparent process. Their concerns center around the unequal political playing field and the risk of electoral violence.

Zambia's electoral laws and regulations, including the Electoral Process Act of 2016 and recent amendments such as the Electoral Process (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2026, are currently in force, but critics argue that they do not adequately address issues such as electoral violence and unequal access to resources. The country's electoral commission has faced criticism for its handling of past elections, with some accusing it of bias towards the ruling party. In response to these concerns, civil society organizations are pushing for reforms to ensure a level playing field and protect the rights of all citizens.

The credibility of Zambia's 2026 elections is at stake as civil society raises concerns over electoral violence and unequal access to resources. If left unaddressed, these issues could undermine the legitimacy of the election process and lead to social unrest. Lawyers and compliance officers should take note of these developments, as they may impact the overall integrity of the electoral process.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential electoral violence and unequal political playing field, which could impact the credibility of the 2026 elections in Zambia.

Source: Original reporting via The Zambian Observer