The European Union has recognised the re-election of the President, Hakainde Hichilema while raising concerns about serious irregularities during counting and tabulation of Zambia’s 13 August general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday 20 August, the EU acknowledged the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s announcement of the results and described the election as an important moment for the country’s democratic process.
The EU Election Observation Mission, invited by the Zambian authorities, was deployed across the country as part of the bloc’s continuing support for Zambia’s democratic governance.
The mission’s preliminary assessment found that election day was calm overall and that voting was generally conducted efficiently.
It also noted that voters were presented with a competitive choice. However, the observers said restrictions on campaigning and the advantages associated with incumbency created an uneven playing field during the campaign period.
The EU’s latest assessment focused on events after polling, pointing to serious incidents and procedural irregularities during the counting and tabulation of results.
According to the mission, these developments affected the transparency and credibility of the electoral process, even as the broader vote remained largely peaceful.
With the electoral process still unfolding, the EU urged Zambia’s political actors and institutions to build on the country’s strong democratic record.
It called on all stakeholders to address grievances peacefully and constructively, insisting that disputes should be pursued through established legal channels rather than through confrontation.
The EU also called for any reported episodes of violence to be fully investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable.
At the same time, it reaffirmed the value of its long-standing partnership with Zambia and said it remained ready to work with the country toward a democratic, prosperous and peaceful future for its people.
