Generally well-administered and peaceful election day marred by systematic bias in state media,
and restrictions on the campaign
Lusaka, 13 August 2016
On election day, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) observed voting at 520 polling streams throughout the country. The conduct of voting was positively assessed in almost all polling stations observed. Voting procedures were well implemented. The overall assessment of the closing and counting process, though protracted, was good or very good in most polling stations observed. The Mission’s Chief Observer, Ms Cécile Kyenge said this at a press conference in Lusaka, when she presented the preliminary statement of the Mission, outlining the main findings of her team’s long-term observations.
Chief Observer Cécile Kyenge commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for demonstrating professionalism in its preparations for the elections, despite issues of mistrust and accusations of bias present in the pre-election period. “We have closely followed the work of ECZ since the end of June. Navigating this complex and sensitive process so far is an achievement in itself” – Ms Kyenge said. She added, however, that ECZ did miss opportunities to enhance transparency and trust in the electoral process amongst political parties and the general public.
Campaign activities were hindered by several factors, among others by ECZ’s decision to suspend campaigns for ten days in Lusaka and Namwala, which the EU EOM saw as a disproportionate move, and which unduly affected small parties and independent candidates. Police also had a role in limiting the campaign, by broadly interpreting the provisions of the Public Order Act, and using its provisions to unfairly block events of opposition parties at short notice.
State media demonstrated systematic bias in its failure to provide fair and equitable coverage of the campaigns of all parties, limiting the possibility for voters to make an informed choice. “News coverage of the state broadcaster was biased in favour of the PF and largely excluded other parties, or only reported other parties negatively” – Chief Observer Kyenge said. She also added that restrictions on private newspaper The Post constituted a serious infringement on freedom of expression during the campaign and severely limited opportunities for the opposition to access print media.
The EU EOM continues to observe the totalling of results, but regrets that its observers do not have access to the verification of results at the national results centre, despite formal requests. As so far observed, initial findings indicate totalling was generally orderly but slow, and with some technical difficulties. Party agents and observers had sufficient access to constituency totalling centres.
The EU EOM welcomes the anticipated publication on the official ECZ website of all individual polling station results forms, to ensure transparency and build confidence in the results, and urges this be done in a timely manner. Michael Gahler, head of the European Parliament delegation that joined the EU EOM before election day, especially underlined “the necessity to provide for transparency of all stakeholders at all levels and all times.”
The EU Election Observation Mission’s preliminary findings are based on the long-term observation that it conducted in Zambia since 29 June. The statement is preliminary because the election process is not yet over, with counting and tabulation still ongoing. The EU EOM remains in Zambia until the end of the process, and will also observe the complaints process after the election results are communicated.
Approximately two months after the conclusion of the electoral process a comprehensive final report will also be presented by the Mission, with recommendations for future elections.
You can Download the Full Report Here
ECZ ECZ ECZ all condaminations, even by such humble woman.
Delete and wipe clean ECZ, just leave judge Chuulu.
Imagine billions of devaluated kwacha spent on those ballot papers ams and free allowances. Erese ECZ please.
A Big Sham. What a false report!!!!!
With regards to the EU,
1.let them allow Africans to observe their elections and give reports but at EU’s account.
2. Regarding the Post, do they allow tax evaders to continue operating in the name of democracy and free speech?
THE DELAY is the REAL EVIDENCE THAT PamaFI HAVE LOST!!!!!
ASK YOURSELVES, WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE THEM DELAY THE RESULT IF THEY WERE IN THE LEAD?????????? THEY WOULD HAVE RUSHED TO ANNOUNCE & CELEBRATE – BUT ALAS, THEY HAVE LOST, NOW NEED MORE TIME TO MANIPULATE THE NUMBERS & COME OUT MANY DAYS LATER TO DECLARE A STOLEN WIN!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EVEN CHILDREN ARE NOW WISENING UP TO SOMETHING REALLY WRONG – COUNTING IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!!!!
Priscilla ISAACS, AKAFUNA, KASARO, Ms PHIRI & a few others @ ECZ NEED TO BE RELIEVED OF THEIR DUTIES ASAP, actually, LIKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT 48Hrs AGO!!!!
ZAMBIANS LETS NOT LET OUR VOTE BE STOLEN WITHOUT PUTTING UP A FIGHT – WE HAVE TO ORDER RECOUNTS IN ALL CONSTITUENCIES & CORRELATE WITH THE…
…….CORRELATE WITH THE UNADULTERATED RESULTS INITIALLY SIGNED OFF!!!!!
UPND SHOULD JUST DEMAND THAT RESULTS ARE RELEASED, PRESIDENTIAL STAKE-HOLDERS MEETINGS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS AS THEY ARE JUST BUYING TIME, & FOR AS HH KEEPS ATTENDING, ITS LIKE GIVING APPROVAL TO GIVING THEM EXTRA TIME TO RIG – ONLY ATTEND IF THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE TRUE RESULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ECZ ARE USING COMPUTERS TO COMMUINCATE, & NOT BUSH-TELEGRAPH or SMOKE SIGNALS – they have ZILCH REASON NOT TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULT!!!!!
IT IS ALSO UNPRECEDENTED FOR OBSERVER MISSIONS NOT TO BE ALLOWED ON THE COUNTING & TABULATION FLOORS!!!! OBSERVER MISSIONS BE BRAVE – CALL A SPADE A SPADE – there is NOTHING THESE THIEVES WILL DO TO YOU BECAUSE WE ARE WATCHING, WE WILL DO WHAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THEY DO…
…..HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THEY DO YOU NO HARM!!!!!
ZAMBIANS, START PROTECTING THE POLLING STATIONS – PHOTOGRAPH ANY IRREGULAR ACTIVITY, TAKE DOWN NUMBER PLATES OF VEHICLES GOING THROUGH, FOLLOW THESE SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES TO WHEREVER DESTINATION – PamaFI ARE VERY VERY DESPERATE NOW!!!!!!!!! DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW DESPERATE THEY NOW ARE!!!!!!!
DEFENCE FORCES, OP & POLICE , WE SALUTE YOU & REMAIN STEADFAST – DEFEND & BELIEVE IN THE OATHS YOU HAVE TAKEN – IT IS THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE & YOUR FAMILIES & FRIENDS YOU SERVE & WHOM YOU SWORE TO – & not a “Pack of THIEVES & TRAITORS” who have allowed our country to be infilterated BY KILLERS FROM FOREIGN STATES, especially for a COMMANDER-IN-THIEF TO DO SO – HE SHOULD FACE A COURT MARSHALL!!!!!!!
#CHAGWAMURDERER has FALLEN!!!!!!!!!!…
……..#CHAGWAMURDERER has FALLEN!!!!!!!!!! #PamaFI KUYABEBELE – – elo NABAYA KALE KALE!!!!!!!
I thank you!!!!
Everything is a curse under Lungu< we reallyneed a time machine, go back in time & correct this error. What a sham of an election
The kaponya bloggers have gone quiet suddenly.
Like parasitic bed bugs retreating and taking cover from the light of day.
Be steadfast people of zambia, tonight might be the last of parasites looting public funds.
EU has rejected Chakolwa,Zambian have rejected. Please satan We the majority of Zambians have rejected your Son ECL the guy is up to no good hospitals in Zambia got no medicine but thus 2016 most incompetent and 1diotic president of the millennium can find money to pay for Satan father RB at the expense of Poor Zambians . Lets Us pray Lord our God please protect our vote from being stolen by Edgar Wrungu and let any stupid EcZ member who might have plans to help Chakolwa to cling on power know that you are watching them and that they will face judgement. We all pray this through Jesus Christ our saviour a BIG AMEN. HOLY GHOST CHAKOLWA FIRE,FIRE PRISCILA ISAACS THANK GOD THE EVIL SCHEME TO RIG ELECTION BY ECL AND ISAACS HAS BEEN CAST OUT AND THE ANGELS ARE WAITING TO USHER IN HIS…
Iwe Ka Lutuku Presdo, you need to clear your fog in your head. Honestly how can ka under five Masonist win the presidential election with 44 members of parliament out of possible156. PF has amassed 93 seats representing 59.61%. Just know that PF is wining the presidential around 57% – 60 % .
Continual delay raises alot of doubts over the credibility of these elections.if lungu wins it will be another 5 yrs remitting $ to my inlaws.eliko tricky .
This is a serious indictment of the PF with its leader EL who are well bent on stealing the peoples vote through systematic well planned, unfair, intimidating and crass tactics.
The will of the people will still take the day. You will never silence the majority!
How hard is it to be a beacon of light? Fifty plus years after independence, our politicians should not have to be dragged kicking and screaming in to the light. The peace we are known for comes from the people not the politicians. Preserve our beacons of peace by respecting people and improving how we serve and represent them. If you can’t do that then get out the way…
Michael Gahler is one who grilled that utterly Lazy incompetent Bum Edgar about ZNBC’s favoritism to the ruling party, the lazy Bum couldn’t answer just kept saying refer to the Independent Broadcasting Board….simply type in “Edgar grilled” in You Tube.
Why doesn’t the so called EU or USA invite us Africans/Black Africans to be monitors in their own elections?? Europe this and America that as examples of democracy, MY FOOT!! muzungu anikonde suuucks!
Show them Ed
You are free to visit any European country and observe elections at your own costs of course!!
You will simply be bored by the voter apathy and go to the pub!!
Dear former British protectorate – as a Commonwealth citizen you have the right to vote in the UK if resident there during their elections. I am sure that’s not reciprocal. That said I enjoy baiting when my funny bone tickles me, seeing as I love picturing crayons and maps with little big boys scrambling to ‘protect you’. Seems like animal farm, we learned our worst political traits from the best culprits… The observer role is far less intrusive. Welcome to 21st century.
HH has won these elections.
If lungu had won the kaponyas would have started looting what is left of the treasury.
These chaps just want us accept stupid behavior like homosexculity and removing the Christian nation declaration
Of what benefit is this selfsame “Christian nation” to you… a country so corrupt and in moral decay where you have illegal ministers stealing taxpayers funds with no shame, a country where an individual who has abused loans meant for poor people for her selfish interests and not paid back is voted into Parley. You have a President who triples his net-worth in a space of 15 months.How is Homosexuality going to affect you…I work and interact with people who gay does that make me gay?
Wake up and quiz your leaders on issues that affect you not stupidity!!
Oh please how I wish the christian nation whatever could be removed. The happenings in the country do not show that there is christianity at all. Thieving and corruption by the so called leaders is the norm now and you want to continue fooling us with your christianity? Have some morals and remorse for your bad actions, no-wonder most Zambians are becoming docile because this nonsense christian nation business you keep preaching to hide your immorality. It is even safe to live in these countries which are not christian and yet everything works well and almost no corruption.
Stolen victory will never take a person to his/her destiny.I can say Zambia is not a Christian nation because ifintu fimo fimo like corruption,killing each other name calling etc.I remember those days of our great heroes ba shikulu ba Kaunda,The FTJ Chiluba ba Mwanawasa SC but today awekwena.
Lungu wherever you are don’t impose yourself. We know you have wrong things and we might forgive you but you have to let go of the presidency because all indicators are you have lost. HH has performed very well in PF strongholds and increased his margins in his strongholds. Whereas you don’t have an overall stronghold except for Luapula and maybe Eastern and you margins have drastically declined in HH’s strongholds. There is just no way you can convince anyone that PF has won. Further, with the level of irregularities you are bringing more problems to yourself – just stop it and concede defeat. Please take my advise it free.
stop these idots. LUNGU HAS WON. DONT BECOME STUPID. WHO TOLD YOU THAT HH HAS WON ELECTIONS? MWANYA YOU WANT TO MAKE OUR ROADS WITH NAMAFI YAGOMBE? YOU HAVE LOST.
Why not announce ? your days of looting are over.
@ Shi Changwe
Now you want make roads using mazyu aba Sokwe? Muyume!
Ba senior citizen….. Your thoughts??
At least means to a peaceful end can be justified. I applaud the ECZ for being professional and police for executing the POA in an impartial manner amidst unwarranted intimidation from the UPND wolves and their call on Armageddon. We Zambians are naturally peaceful but for the latest unbecoming and weird behavior from one violent party UPND. Anyways see you in 2021 EU. Thanks for your observation. We know you supposed to give the report to your masters.
Am shipping out gallons of sulphuric acid to all UPND bloggers so they can start sipping tomorrow afternoon…..i will also add doom liquid just in case sulphuric acid won’t do the job and below are the instructions.
1.As soon as the final results are announced please take 1 table spoon of sulphuric acid
2.retreat to your bedroom and write down your suicide note
3.place your suicide note next to your voters card
4.lay down on your bed face down
5.start hallucinating and imagining HH in the state house…
6.close your eyes….just don’t die
WE HAVE WON
EDGAR LUNGU 5 MORE YEARS
I thank you
Cyber psychosis. There is help available from genuine support groups. I am seriously worried about you. We are not wired up to ‘virtually’ kill each other over politics. That aside can you clarify what to do in the event the spoon melts before reaching the bedroom…
ECZ please take this preliminary EU report seriously otherwise we will have the worst results that we have never had in Zambia with consequences only God can knows. For the sake of mother Zambia, please act in the interest of a poor vulnerable person straggling to survive. This is were the character of the likes of madam Ireen Mambilima is desperately required. I miss her and wish we had a Honorable Zambian like her around that table today.
@peaceful Zambian
Stop alarming people….everything is ok….nothing to worry about….just that the ECZ is under pressure from some very desperate politician HH….this man wants to be in the state house so so bad and this is scary…but the majority of the Zambians don’t want him anywhere near the state house as evidenced by his poor performance in the just ended elections
Anyway
WE HAVE WON
EDGAR LUNGU 5 MORE YEARS
I thank you
Ms Cécile Kyenge, Mr. Michael Gahler, Mr.Thomas Boserup and colleagues, we thank you and your colleagues for spirited efforts and goodwill in providing oversight and preliminary assessment about Zambia’s electoral process. No doubt, the final report and its recommendations–at the conclusion of the electoral processes–will be very helpful. Unfortunately, unless there is political will to implement and follow up, recommendations mean nothing to incompetent and clueless tin-horn dictators, pretending at leadership. It’s a tragedy of most of Africa, including, very sadly now, our dear Zambia.
42 constituencies have been verified out of 155+ that is 72 hrs after the elections …surely how were they doing it 20 years ago without the luxury of internet and mobile communication. If you are not angered by this, then there is something seriously wrong with you.
@Jay Jay
I agree with you on this one…72 hours after elections is too much time…am PF but I totally support you on this one…something needs to be done…I can imagine my 69 year old grand mother standing in line for 4 hours waiting to vote and until now she doesn’t know the winner….I think I will have a hard time convincing her to go vote next time
I thank you
Calm the hell down. You’re are so unreasonable. Exit polls are worrying you?
Ms. Cecile Kashetu KYENGE, did you also prepare a report of the European Union Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM) support of governments that advance gay rights?
Point of correction @Lutuku Presdo, “Please satan We the majority of Zambians have rejected your Son ECL” I thought this should have read, “Please God We the majority of Tongas have rejected your Son ECL”. By calling on Satan, it clearly shows how close your party and it’s leadership share the same bed with your master, the devil.
My colleague and I are eastners and we voted for HH
I have noticed that people become very emotional when it comes to elections…this is a good thing and it shows how Patriotic Zambians are…a lot is at stake in this elections…it’s not just about Dununa reverse or watermelon campaign….this is about Zambia with all its 72 tribes….
EDGAR LUNGU HAS WON
I thank you
I just noticed one thing with UPND supporters…if HH is leading then it’s all good and mellow and ECZ is very organized and on point but once Edgar Lungu starts leading ma ma ma ma ninshi twatukwa…too much insele…ukutukila kumo na ECZ….and am sitting here saying to myself…just a few minutes ago ECZ was ok and now that Edgar is in front ECZ is a bunch of crooks…..something wrong with UPND supporters. …
Pemba…HH 25 000
Lungu…..458
Which province is Pemba????????
I can see clearly now the rain is gone….
Never mind
EDGAR LUNGU HAS WON THE ELECTIONS
I thank you
The Pemba voting patern has really pissed me off and now instead of shipping just sulphuric acid am adding formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde plus menthanol…mix the 3 chemicals plus add sulphuric acid to it after Lungu has been declared the winner…and this time don’t just take 1 table spoon please drink the whole gallon at once…ku ku ku ku ku ku til your eyes pop out
EDGAR LUNGU 5 MORE YEARS
I thank you
@Katondo Boys
why are you not pissed off with MWINILUNGA which so far has given HH the highest votes
33,801
91.9%
Because Pemba suites your logic of thinking along tribal lines, hence you are obsessed with Pemba results
BTW, you should be arrested and charged for inciting mass murdering related to your Sulphuric Acid outline. If there are internet agents tracking pedophiles and terrorist, they should nail you down. Its not far from being a terrorist act against your own people
The southerners are really determined to put one of their own in the state house….mwailasha…woo-hoo
Edgar Lungu 5 more years
I thank you
Have you packed your bags ?
Katondo you are a stupid tribalist why do you only say southerners want HH to win. There are people all over zambia that want change, want a new beginning. Because the PF know that people will accept that they have majority votes in CBelt because that is their stronghold it does not mean that the results were not manipulated…..what I am saying the can manipulate results in the north because people will accept it and not question it. Why has Lusaka not been anounced. Why are they blaming delayed results on logistical problems when they have drowned us in debt by building new roads – surely with these new roads they should be able to get ballots in sooner. The final results should have been anounced by now – why are you not concerned that they have not been announced, how can you…
At katondo boys wandepula ati ku ku ku ku…till you hit the ground. Umutonga temunobe.
No matter what ECL has won.HH is a losing nangu is on lead HH was not born to be a leader and is very alogant person.now we need a leader like ECL
Mwen’gombe u are losing no mater what.we can’t afford to have a leader who is a satanist.
My strong views are that this impugned election process must be put before the courts of law so that the future conduct of elections should be determined on whether it is brute force or reasoned persuasion that should govern the conduct of our affairs.
Since time immemorial humanity has existed under the order of reason and proscribed brawn or muscle might to govern conduct of our affairs. And thus a physically weak woman is able to walk without fear of molestation from brutish hulks. The property owner can rest in peace without fear that the majority poor will overtake his serenity.
Should elections be won on unleashing the most savage, criminally driven and beastly of our midst and such results allowed to hold? I assert to the contrary and as per latin maxim ‘ei qui affirmat,…
Should elections be won on unleashing the most savage, criminally driven and beastly of our midst and such results allowed to hold? I assert to the contrary and as per latin maxim ‘ei qui affirmat, non ei qui negat, incumbit probatio’ , I urge the UPND legal team to gather cogent evidential burden to discharge their inevitable burden of proof. Let’s extend the franchise of our democratic dispensation and attendant jurisprudence. A contrived victory is a nullity and so is one birthed in corruption, violence and beating. And this is the golden thread in all human endeavours. We di see even is sports, medals being stripped from cheating athletes. PF has cheated in this election and I ask the world not to allow fraud to sustain lest we develop another Zimbabwe’s Mugabe or Uganda’s…
And this is the golden thread in all human endeavours. We do see this even in sports. Medals being stripped from cheating athletes. Even from once celebrated athletes like cycling fraudster Armstrong. PF has cheated in this election. Pure and simple. Now its time for the World to make PF account for their crime and deny them the fruit of illegality. This will put a beacon against future criminality to forestall the nation slipping into another Zimbabwe’s Mugabe or Uganda’s Museveni. We live in a global village. And if Lungu and his PF will not submit to the due process of the law, then the world should make them face the temerity of their egregious conduct.
No delays, take your time coz even your haluza hazibika knows the out come from his pvt,who doesn’t know the winner,that’s why stubbornness is in your blood,if you feel & think the winner hasn’t known yet,am sorry you belong to the late stone age error.just swallow your pride and join dunana reverse celebration.that’s the way to go,hard lucky
Iwe Ka Lutuku Presdo, you need to clear your fog in your head. Honestly how can ka under five Masonist win the presidential election with 44 members of parliament out of possible156. PF has amassed 93 seats representing 59.61%. Just know that PF is wining the presidential around 57% – 60 % .
Kikikikikikiki! This NGO upnd has a lot of online supporters and if you read their comments, you may think that Zambia is on fire! Twa dununa ba mambala first round! Start preparing for 2021 you bloody cows!
I don’t know what to think about Cecile Kyenge and her masters. I find her comments on the 2016 elections offensive and her behaviour typical of house Negroes. Would she and her organization do the same on elections in Indonesia, France, Greece or China? Personally I’m bothered by the condescending tone she uses when dealing with Zambians and Africans in general. In that matter she is no different from white people who see Africans just like savages to be lectured, or like children to be talked to. She misses no occasion to lecture publicly Zambians and their leaders. I’m disappointed with this woman.
I totally agree, voting went on very peacefully but let’s also be honest with ourselves and say the playing field during the campaign period was very rough. And also events after voting closed were not pleasant at all. If someone has stolen someone else’s votes, time will catch up with them.
iwe chi katondo boy! the delay was because of your ugly hh who tried to obtain a court order that the announcements be halted .ulimbwafye kembo iwe . zambia has decided they are still down for lungu.not hh and fat phacking albert
Captain Sankara which school did you go to? The EU observer mission are absolutely right. The campaign was biased especially on the Government media. All that you see were ECL, Chishimba Kambwili, Inonge Wina or First lady. This was clearly visible even to even a small child. Lets not be blinded by personal opinions. Be patriotic. When the PF were in the opposition, they complained bitterly about ZNBC, Today they are there, its good for them to be featuring on the National Broadcaster.