The European External Action Service (EEAS) said on Thursday 20 August that it had taken note of the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema, whose coming to power in 2021 helped deepen the partnership between Zambia and the European Union (see EUROPE 13750/8). However, the EU Election Observation Mission ('EU EOM'), deployed in the country since the beginning of the month, reported significant irregularities during the count and tabulation of the election results.
“On 14 August 2026, the day after elections, the Electoral Commission Zambia suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide from 12:00 to 18:00. This was stated to be due to violent incidents targeting polling staff and, in some instances, by allegations of ballot-box theft. No further details were provided on the locations and how systematic or isolated these incidents were”, the European observers noted in an account published on Wednesday 19 August.
According to European observers present in some 64 vote tabulation centres, the overall conduct of the compilation process “ deteriorated significantly” after that suspension was lifted, late on 14 August. The 'EU EOM' then noted the absence of certain tally sheets, prolonged interruptions to the tabulation process, as well as a “heavy military presence” in the centres and some violent incidents.
“The EU encourages all stakeholders to build on Zambia’s strong democratic record and address any grievances peacefully and constructively”, an EEAS spokesperson said last Thursday. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)