Zambia is in a position to move forward significantly if its elections next month are credible and peaceful. But the electoral environment presents noteworthy challenges that require tolerance, the rule of law, leadership and participation, a pre-election assessment mission from NDI said in a report released in Lusaka Aug. 18. 

The delegation was observing preparations for Zambia’s presidential, parliamentary and local elections to be held on Sept. 20.

NDI is conducting a pre-election assessment of Zambia’s preparations for presidential, parliamentary and local elections to be held on Sept. 20.

The five-day assessment, Aug. 14-18, reflects the international community’s interest in and support for credible elections in Zambia. It is intended to provide a preliminary assessment of the electoral environment and preparations for the elections as well as a framework for an NDI long-term international observation of the September polls.

Spurred by the recent political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and the prospect of upcoming legislative elections, experts are convening at the Hotel Tiama in Abidjan to discuss the role that domestic election observation can play in diminishing the potential for political violence.

Liberia’s nascent democracy will be tested this year as the country prepares to hold a referendum and an election in rapid succession with limited international assistance. This is in sharp contrast to 2005 when elections were conducted with significant support from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).