The Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (the “ECF-SADC”) is pleased to announce the deployment of an Election Observer Mission to the Republic of Zambia following an invitation extended by the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (the “ECZ”) to observe the General Election scheduled for 13 August 2026.

The Mission expresses its profound appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia, the Electoral Commission of Zambia and all electoral stakeholders for the cooperation, support and courtesies extended to it since its arrival in the country.

The Mission is led by Hon. Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, and is supported by Dr. Else Tuleingepo Nghikembua Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) as Deputy Head of Mission.

The ECF-of-SADC Observer Mission comprises Chairpersons, Commissioners and senior election officials drawn from eleven (11) Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) that are members of the ECF-of-SADC, namely the National Independent Electoral Commission of Angola (CNE), Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana (IEC), Independent National Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENI), Elections and Boundaries Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini (EBC), Independent Electoral Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho (IEC), Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Independent National Electoral Commission of Tanzania (INEC), Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The Mission will undertake its activities in Zambia from 5th to 16 August 2026 and is headquartered at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Lusaka.
The deployment of the Mission reflects the ECF-SADC’s continued commitment to promoting democratic governance, credible electoral processes and the strengthening of electoral institutions across the SADC region through professional, impartial and peer-based election observation. As a technical mission comprising experienced electoral practitioners, the ECF-SADC seeks to promote mutual learning, facilitate the exchange of best practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of election administration among EMBs throughout the region.

At the conclusion of its observation activities, the Mission will issue a Preliminary Statement outlining its initial findings and assessment of the conduct of the election. Thereafter, a comprehensive Final Report containing detailed findings, conclusions and recommendations will be prepared and shared with the ECZ and relevant stakeholders.

For further inquiries about the ECF-SADC mission, please contact the Mission’s Team on the following contacts:
WhatsApp: +26776697823 or
Email: nramaselwana@ecfsadc.org.

Justice Annabel Mtalimanja
HEAD OF MISSION