Zalomius cautions against unverified information

ZANIS reports that Ms Zaloumis says stakeholders should rely on verified and authoritative information and seek clarification from the Commission through appropriate channels whenever concerns arise. The ECZ Chairperson was speaking in Lusaka today when she updated and addressed local and international election observers and other stakeholders on the preparedness of the Commission to handle the polls. She added that information gathered during election monitoring should be handled responsibly, accurately and within the appropriate context.

Ms Zaloumis has also urged stakeholders to distinguish between verified observations, allegations and speculation, and ensure that their reports and assessments are evidence-based, objective and fair. The Chairperson stressed that the ECZ remains committed to conducting elections that are free, fair, transparent and credible, guided by the principles of impartiality, professionalism, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. Ms Zalomius said with only a few days remaining until polling day, all stakeholders have a responsibility to contribute to a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.

She has since urged stakeholders to ensure that Zambians are able to exercise their democratic right to vote peacefully and confidently on August 13, 2026. Meanwhile, ECZ Voter Education Manager Emmah Mwiinga disclosed that 8,786,300 voters are registered on its register, urging them to effectively participate in this year’s polls. In her presentation, the Voter Education Manager further said the Commission will dispatch 81,000 poll staff in the 13, 539 polling stations dotted across the country. On the delimitation exercise, Ms Mwiinga said the Commission increased the number of constituencies from 156 to 226 following constitutional reforms necessitated by the Constitution Amendment Act Number 13 of 2025, which led to the delimitation of constituencies.