#ZambiaDecides2021: Supporting electoral integrity and accessibility through citizen observation in Zambia

CCMG data clerks follow up with PVT observers sending in reports on election day to ensure data quality.

Given the tense pre-election environment, observation by non-partisan citizen groups played a critical role in boosting public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process and the election outcome. NDI’s partners began advocating for improved election policies, as well as observing key pre-election processes, more than a year ahead of election day. As a result, citizen observers were able to provide oversight of many of the most controversial elements of the election, all of which took place prior to election day itself. NDI partners observed voter registration, documented restrictions on opposition campaigns, and advocated for greater inclusion of marginalized groups.

A voter in Lusaka casts his ballot on election day.

Citizen observer groups also provided important information on the inclusivity of the 2021 elections for persons with disabilities. Prior to election day, NDI’s partner the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) engaged with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and successfully advocated for an accessibility audit of polling stations and for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in voter registration processes. This includes ideas like capturing disability information during registration in order to inform planning for elections and by hiring persons with disabilities as voter registration officers and voter education facilitators. With technical assistance from NDI, the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) conducted a thematic observation of election day, highlighting the continued barriers to voting for persons with disabilities and setting the foundation for future advocacy and efforts at inclusion. ZAFOD deployed 74 election day observers, as well as 20 supervisors who served as mobile observers, at polling stations across the country to report on the accessibility of polling stations and participation of persons with disabilities, as well as the conduct of voting and counting processes. As detailed in the group’s preliminary statement, ZAFOD’s observation found that many polling stations remain inaccessible due to physical barriers such as stairs or lack of accessible voting materials such as Braille ballot jackets, effectively limiting the right to equal political participation for persons with disabilities. 

As the Zambian people celebrate the latest peaceful transfer of power in their country and the new Hichilema administration takes shape, Zambia has a window of opportunity to consolidate democratic gains and institute reforms to further enhance the transparency and inclusion of future electoral cycles. For citizen observer groups, improving on the key challenges identified in the handling of pre-election activities, in addition to building on a transparent voting and counting process, will be key next steps during the new administration. In Zambia and beyond, citizen observer groups can - and will - continue to play a critical role beyond election day by providing stakeholder recommendations, observing by-elections and other electoral processes and advocating for and providing oversight to reforms. 

These program activities were implemented with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 

NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all.