During the presentation of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) final report, the Chief Observer, Ms Maria Arena, said: “It was inspiring to witness a peaceful transition of power in Zambia following the announcement of the final presidential results. As President Hichilema pledged in his inauguration speech ‘to foster a better democracy’, we are looking forward to seeing these words put into action.” 

Ms Arena presented the EU EOM final report to the Electoral Commission of Zambia this morning. During her third visit to Zambia, Chief Observer Ms Arena noted: “We returned to Zambia to present the mission’s final report for the 12 August general elections, which include recommendations for future elections, to discuss these recommendations with a wide range of stakeholders and to assist in kick starting electoral reform.”

The report offers 22 recommendations for consideration. These include six priority recommendations: (1) to repeal the Public Order Act and ensure in law adherence to regional and international standards for freedom of assembly, movement, and expression; (2) to revise candidacy requirements to enhance the right and the opportunity to stand (3) to enact a Law on Political Parties stipulating registration requirements and guaranteeing internal party democracy, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, with adequate institutional oversight; (4) to remove from the law undue campaign privileges for the President and Vice-President to ensure equal campaign conditions for all candidates; (5) to enact a Law on Campaign Finance including reporting requirements for political parties, candidates, and traditional and social media; (6) to formalise cooperation between the Electoral Commission of Zambia, civil society and main social media platforms.

The Chief Observer stressed that it is entirely up to Zambian authorities and institutions to take any of the recommendations on board: ”While we present this final report, it is important to note the mission’s recommendations are based on observation and analysis of all aspects of the electoral process, which include the national electoral legal framework and its implementation and assessment of the extent to which the elections complied with international and regional commitments for democratic elections.”

In her concluding remarks, Ms Arena noted that: “After the EU EOM departs, the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA led by Ambassador Jacek Jankowski stand ready to assist the authorities and stakeholders with the implementation of the EU EOM recommendations.”

PRESS CONTACT: Evan Eberle, Press and Public Outreach Officer Mobile: +260 77 931 1165, Email: evan.eberle@eueomzambia2021.eu

***THE EU EOM IS INDEPENDENT FROM THE EU DELEGATION TO ZAMBIA and COMESA, EU MEMBER STATES AND OTHER EU INSTITUTIONS***