ECZ to promote inclusive electoral participation

ECZ Voter Education Programme Manager, Emmah Mwiinga, says the Commission remains committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen participates freely, equally and meaningfully in the electoral process regardless of disability. Ms Mwiinga was speaking when she officially opened a two-day Lusaka Provincial Workshop on Inclusive Electoral Participation for Persons with Disabilities in Lusaka today. She noted that persons with disabilities are equal citizens with constitutional rights to register as voters, access electoral information, vote independently and in secrecy and contribute to the country’s democratic governance.

Ms Mwiinga explained that this year general election marks a significant milestone as it will be the first to be conducted under Constitution Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025 and the Electoral Process (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2026 that introduced the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) electoral system and reserved seats for women, youths and persons with disabilities in the National Assembly and local councils.

Ms Mwiinga observed that despite progress made over the years, persons with disabilities continue to face challenges in accessing electoral information and services due to inaccessible polling stations, limited accessible voter education materials, communication barriers, digital exclusion and social stigma. She disclosed that the Commission has introduced several measures to improve accessibility, including voter education materials in braille and sign language as well as tactile ballot paper jackets, which will be available at all polling stations during the forthcoming elections. Ms Mwiinga further said the Commission has rolled out disability-inclusive voter education programmes and trained electoral officers on inclusive electoral practices to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind.

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She thanked cooperating partners which include Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), for their continued support in strengthening inclusive electoral processes in Zambia. Meanwhile, ZAFOD Programme Manager, Misheck Katongo has called on ECZ to consider employing persons with disabilities within its staff establishment. Mr Katongo said meaningful inclusion should go beyond voter participation and extend to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in electoral institutions. The workshop is being held under the theme, “strengthening inclusive electoral participation for persons with disabilities in the 2026 general elections.”

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