Leading opposition party, NRPUP, seeks clarification on ballot rules, results timeline

The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has written to the Electoral Commission of Zambia demanding urgent clarification on ballot marking procedures and the announcement of results ahead of the August 13 General Elections. In a letter dated August 9, 2026, Aongola & Co. Legal Practitioners, acting jointly with Makebi Zulu Advocates, told ECZ Chief Electoral Officer that the two issues raised had the potential to undermine confidence in the electoral process if not addressed immediately.

The lawyers said they were acting on instructions from NRPUP and described the matter as urgent, noting that polling was scheduled in four days. They told the Commission that any ambiguity at this stage could lead to inconsistent treatment of ballots and disputes during counting. The letter addressed the issue of ballot marking first, warning against reports that voters may be allowed to use a tick or check mark.

They further asked ECZ to withdraw or correct any instructions inconsistent with the regulation unless the Commission can cite the specific statutory authority for such a change. On results management, the party expressed concern over reports that ECZ intended to delay the progressive announcement of results until August 17, 2026. The letter said a departure from the established practice of announcing results progressively from polling stations through to the national centre must have a lawful and justifiable basis.

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NRPUP asked ECZ to confirm that results would be announced publicly at each polling station and that copies of result forms will be given to polling agents. “Results will be announced publicly at each polling station and copies of the result forms provided to polling agents,” the demand stated. The lawyers also requested that polling-station-level results be published in an accessible manner and form the basis of all subsequent aggregation. They warned that withholding progressive publication while aggregation took place centrally reduced contemporaneous public scrutiny of the process.

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