Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), has urged polling officials, including presiding officers, polling assistants and support staff, set for the Chawama Parliamentary by-election to work with integrity and professionalism.
ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis stressed that poll staff will play a key role in determining the credibility of the election, scheduled for January 15th, 2026.
She stated that the officers are central to the conduct of the election and their actions will directly affect public confidence in the outcome of the poll.
She was speaking in Lusaka during a meeting and training session with polling officials ahead of the by-election.
The media reports that Ms Zaloumis explained that the training programme will run for five days and is meant to equip polling officials with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to manage polling, vote counting and the overall electoral process effectively.
She stressed that all polling officials must remain neutral, strictly follow electoral procedures and treat every voter fairly and without bias.
The ECZ Chairperson also urged officers to remain calm during vote counting, which will be conducted in the presence of polling agents, election agents, monitors and observers.
She further encouraged polling officials to use the knowledge gained from the training to share correct information in their communities and help counter misinformation about the electoral process.
