MISA ZAMBIA RAISES CONCERN OVER MEDIA HARASSMENT, VOTER SECRECY AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

MISA Zambia has raised concern over reported cases of voter secrecy violations, harassment of journalists, political interference and violence recorded during the 2026 general election.

Speaking during an update on the electoral process, the National Director of MISA Zambia Mr Austin Kayanda said the organisation had received reports of voters being observed while marking their ballots, raising concerns over the secrecy of the vote.

Mr Kayanda also cited a reported incident in which five voter cards were allegedly confiscated from a suspected party cadre, resulting in the affected voter being prevented from voting.

He said, Concerns were further raised over reports that some polling staff allegedly gave preferential treatment to people they recognised, leading to complaints and obstruction at polling stations.

Further he also reported alleged campaigning at polling stations by prominent candidates and party representatives, as well as the spread of misinformation concerning the movement of marked ballot papers, which it said reportedly contributed to violence.

Mr Kayanda added that the media organisation expressed particular concern over the alleged harassment of journalists covering the elections. It cited a reported incident at Malamba Polling Station involving a Zambezi FM journalist who was allegedly mistreated by police officers, including the deletion of footage while she was carrying out her professional duties.

He has since called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and allow the electoral process to proceed without intimidation, violence or interference.

Meanwhile he has also expressed concern over the reported presence and conduct of suspected political cadres at some polling stations, saying their alleged involvement in managing polling stations falls outside their mandate and could intimidate voters and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.