GABORONE, Botswana -The Southern African Development Community will deploy the SADC Electoral Observation Mission, SEOM, to monitor Zambia’s General Election set for Thursday, 13 August 2026.
In a statement issued on 23 July from its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, the SADC Secretariat said the mission reaffirms the region’s commitment to democratic governance, credible elections, and political stability.
The mission will be headed by Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission. She will be supported by the SADC Organ Troika and the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, SEAC.
According to SADC, a Secretariat Support Team will arrive in Lusaka on 27 July 2026 to establish the mission headquarters and handle technical and logistical arrangements.
A four-day refresher training for observers is scheduled for 1 to 4 August. Observers will graduate on 5 August, with the official launch of SEOM set for 6 August.
Following the launch, observers will be deployed to all 10 provinces of Zambia to monitor the pre-election period, polling day, and immediate post-election processes.
On election day, 13 August, the team will observe the opening of polling stations, voting, closing, counting and tabulation.
SADC says SEOM will present a Preliminary Statement on 15 August, two days after the vote. The mission will then continue with longer-term observation before releasing a Final Report.
During the observation period, Justice Mtalimanja and her team will hold engagements with key stakeholders at the mission headquarters in Lusaka. These include the Electoral Commission of Zambia, political parties, government institutions, civil society, academia, and members of the diplomatic community.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has so far cleared 14 candidates to contest the presidency.
They include incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND, Brian Mundubile of (NRPUP), Harry Kalaba(CF), and Fred M’membe of the Socialist Party. Others are Kelvin Bwalya(ZMP), Chansa Given(MEE), Xavier Chungu(LDP)2, Katuta Given(IND), Kunda Howard(Zawapa), Brian Mushimba(NRPUP), Ackim Njobvu(DU), Daniel Pule(CDP),Richwell Siamunene (NFP), and Richard Silumbe (LM).
“The deployment of SEOM reflects SADC’s enduring commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, fostering peaceful electoral processes, and advancing regional integration through impartial and professional election observation,” the Secretariat said.
The mission is being deployed in line with Article 8.1 of the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
The SADC Secretariat said it will continue to provide updates on the activities of the observation mission throughout its stay in Zambia. (Photo courtesy)
