More than 100 European observers are following a high-stakes ballot shaped by living costs, media freedom and trust in institutions
Zambians are voting in a general election that will determine whether President Hakainde Hichilema receives a second term, while European Union observers examine the fairness, transparency and inclusiveness of the wider process. The ballot comes amid economic frustration, concerns about restrictions on journalism and renewed scrutiny of the EU’s democratic partnerships beyond Europe.
Polling stations opened at 06:00 local time on Thursday, 13 August, and are scheduled to close at 18:00. Zambia’s Electoral Commission lists 8,786,300 registered voters across the country’s ten provinces.
Alongside the presidency, voters are choosing members of the National Assembly and local representatives. A presidential candidate must receive more than half of the valid votes to win outright. If nobody reaches that threshold, a second round may be held within 37 days.
A record judged beyond polling day
The election is widely viewed as a judgment on Hichilema’s five years in office. His administration points to debt restructuring, greater currency stability, new investment and expanded access to education as evidence of economic recovery.
For many households, however, national indicators compete with the immediate experience of food prices, unreliable electricity supplies, unemployment and the cost of essential services. The central political question is therefore not simply whether economic management has improved, but whether voters believe its benefits have reached their communities.
Zambia’s position as a major copper producer also gives the election importance beyond its borders. Copper is central to electricity networks, renewable-energy infrastructure and electric vehicles. European policymakers and companies consequently have a direct interest in stable, accountable partnerships with producing countries, although commercial priorities should not displace labour rights, environmental safeguards or democratic accountability.
What the EU mission can establish
This is the sixth Zambian general election observed by the European Union since 2001. The EU Election Observation Mission, led by Irish Member of the European Parliament Michael McNamara, is expected to have more than 100 observers in the country around election day.
The mission is examining far more than the conduct inside polling stations. Its mandate covers voter registration, candidate nominations, campaign finance, the use of state institutions, media coverage, online information, political freedoms, counting procedures and the handling of complaints.
Observers are also assessing whether women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups can participate effectively. That matters because an election can be orderly on polling day while remaining unequal in the months preceding it.
The mission is due to issue preliminary findings on 15 August and remain in Zambia through the principal stages of counting, dispute resolution and any possible run-off. Its final report will follow once the process has concluded.
EU observation does not validate the result or confer legitimacy on the election. Observers collect evidence and assess the process against Zambian law and international commitments. Their influence ultimately depends on the quality of their findings, the willingness of authorities to address shortcomings and sustained attention after the immediate political interest fades.
Earlier European Times coverage of EU election observation in Ghana illustrated the bloc’s established practice of following an electoral cycle before and after voting rather than treating election day as an isolated event.
Media freedom remains a credibility issue
The pre-election environment has drawn concern from Zambian and international rights organisations. Local media monitors have documented restrictions affecting journalists and access to information, while opposition parties have complained of obstacles to political activity.
In July, Amnesty International raised the case of journalist MacPherson Mukuka, who was charged under Zambia’s Cyber Crimes Act over a recording posted on social media. Amnesty argued that the case could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism during the election period. The authorities’ handling of such cases will form part of the broader assessment of whether citizens had access to diverse information before voting.
Press freedom is not a secondary concern in an election. Voters cannot make an informed choice if reporters fear prosecution, broadcasters provide substantially unequal access or online restrictions prevent legitimate scrutiny of those in power.
The count will carry its own risks
The credibility of the election will depend on transparent counting and tabulation, timely publication of results and accessible procedures for challenging alleged irregularities. Political leaders also bear responsibility for directing supporters towards lawful complaints mechanisms rather than intimidation or violence.
International observers can document failures and recommend reforms, but they cannot substitute for Zambian institutions, journalists, civil society groups and voters. Nor should European economic interests influence the assessment of whether the process respected political rights.
As ballots are cast, no reliable conclusion can yet be drawn about the outcome or the overall quality of the election. The more important judgment will emerge from the full record: who could campaign, whose voices were heard, whether votes were counted transparently and whether disputes were resolved without compromising fundamental freedoms.
