The Democratic Union (DU) has raised concerns about the fairness of Zambia’s 2026 general elections, citing the composition of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as a major issue.
DU President, Ackim Antony Njobvu, questions the impartiality of the current ECZ commissioners, including Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis and Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro, who are perceived to be aligned with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
Others are McDonald Chipenzi, who has also been accused of being a UPND cadre.
These appointments were surrounded by controversy, with opposition parties and some stakeholders questioning their impartiality and alleging that they are biased towards the ruling party.
Njobvu argues that the appointment of commissioners by the President may compromise the ECZ’s independence and lead to biased electoral processes.
The outspoken critic is advocating for a more inclusive and transparent appointment process, possibly through a technical committee, to ensure fairness and equal representation.
Njobvu’s concerns are not unfounded, as some opposition parties and stakeholders recently expressed doubts about the ECZ’s neutrality, pointing to the alleged partisan affiliations of some commissioners.
The DU leader’s stance highlights the need for robust dialogue and reforms to restore trust in Zambia’s electoral system, adding that if next year’s elections are to be deemed fair, there is need for the country and international community to invest a lot in oversight.
He was speaking during an interview at Chongwe FM.
