15 August 2026
Lusaka, Zambia
Executive overview
The general elections of 13 August 2026 served as a defining crucible for Zambia’s democratic integrity and the endurance of its civic institutions. Although the technical execution of the balloting proceeded smoothly, the broader strategic environment was characterised by deep-seated systemic imbalances.
These structural disparities fundamentally undermined the electoral process, revealing that a calm administrative surface can often mask a significant erosion of genuine democratic competition.
Freedom of expression and media diversity
A pluralistic media environment is the essential oxygen of democracy. In Zambia, the severe constriction of this environment directly impaired voter choice by creating a cognitive monopoly for the ruling party. The state-owned media’s failure to adhere to Article 50 of the Constitution, which mandates fair access to publicly owned media, amounted to abandonment of its public broadcaster mandate in favour of a state-propaganda model.
Civil society groups raised concerns about what they deemed extreme bias by the public media, illustrated by the effective silencing of the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance and its candidate, Brian Mundubile.
While private outlets such as Diamond TV, Hot FM and News Diggers attempted to provide equitable coverage, they did so under a shadow of judicial intimidation.
A primary tactical instrument used to enforce self-censorship was the detention of ZNBC journalist McPherson Mukuka, who was imprisoned for two weeks under the Cyber Crimes Act (CCA) for allegedly recording a private conversation without consent. This arrest served as a warning to the entire journalistic sector that deviations from state-sanctioned narratives carry severe penalties.
There were also reports that several journalists were attacked on election day. Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) photojournalist Levy Mwale was allegedly assaulted and ordered to stop filming by Tonse Alliance supporters at the Olympia Secondary School polling centre while covering presidential candidate Brian Mundubile as he cast his vote.
Real Times journalist Linda Nyondo was also ordered by political party activists to delete her footage, while Zambezi FM journalist Edna Mupila was harassed by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officials after filming their late arrival.
MISA condemns these acts and the failure of security details to protect journalists. The selective application of the law, where state agents and cadres operate without fear of consequences, is a direct threat to electoral integrity.
The erasure of voices was most acute for female candidates, who received barely any coverage ahead of the elections. This marginalisation is inextricably linked to the continued inactivity of the Gender Equity and Equality Commission, whose institutional paralysis has left women candidates without a mechanism for redress against media invisibility and gender-based harassment.
Information integrity
Social media, particularly Facebook, became the primary channel for information and disinformation. With more than 4 million voting-age Zambians on the platform, digital rights and information integrity were paramount.
The digital abuse of women candidates was particularly egregious, focusing on personal status rather than political participation.
Attacks frequently targeted marital status, motherhood and physical appearance, even extending to allegations of witchcraft. Amidst this, the iVerify platform and the National Action Coalition on Information Integrity provided essential, professional debunking of falsehoods about ballot delays and internet shutdowns. These commendable efforts should be viewed in the context of a legal regime designed to stifle debate.
Legal reforms vs practical reality
MISA Regional acknowledges the enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) law and the repeal of criminal defamation of the president as historical milestones. However, these are paper victories that have been neutralised by institutional silence.
The intended democratic gains were effectively suffocated by the persistence of defamation as a criminal offence under alternative statutes in the Penal Code and by the continued use of restrictive colonial-era laws.
This legislative sleight-of-hand masks a more aggressive pivot towards digital control mechanisms, shifting traditional suppression into the virtual frontier.
Cybersecurity, privacy and online expression
Digital rights became the primary battleground for freedom of expression in the 2026 cycle. As social media offered a low-cost alternative for resource-constrained candidates, the State responded by over-securitising political speech.
The chilling effect of the 2025 Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act (CCA) has been profound. MISA specifically highlights the structural conflict of interest inherent in the Zambia Cyber Security Agency. This presidentially appointed body supported police investigations into critics of the very president who appointed them, as well as critics of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
This institutional intimidation was reinforced by unlawful public warnings issued directly by the Zambia Police Service and the army, reflecting a militarised approach to digital discourse.
While a Constitutional Court challenge to these acts is pending, the current landscape is characterised by pervasive digital self-censorship. The erosion of digital rights is the most significant modern threat to Zambian democracy, requiring immediate and radical institutional correction.
Recommendations
The following measures are essential prerequisites for restoring public trust and aligning Zambia with international democratic standards.
- The legislature must conduct an immediate, comprehensive review of the Public Order Act and the 2025 Cybersecurity laws to ensure alignment with regional human rights standards.
- The government must immediately operationalise Article 50 of the Constitution. ZNBC must transition from a state-controlled broadcaster to a true public broadcaster, ensuring equitable airtime and impartial news coverage for all political contestants.
- The selective enforcement of the law and arbitrary arrests of journalists and online critics must end.
- There is an urgent need to scale up financial and institutional support for independent fact-checking platforms such as iVerify and to protect journalists, whose role remains vital in ensuring citizens have access to verified information
