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Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has flagged various electoral malpractices, including vote buying, during the Kawambwa parliamentary by-election held on December 20, 2024, in Luapula Province.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, TI-Z Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, revealed that the organization received reports of irregularities at campaign events across the constituency.
“TI-Z became aware of reports of electoral malpractices such as vote buying and the use of government programmes to induce voters,” Nyambe said.
He cited examples to include the distribution of food items, cash, and transport services, which he said compromised the integrity of the election.
Nyambe alleged that senior government officials from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) were involved in offering money and gifts to voters under the guise of citizen empowerment.
“This is despite the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 clearly defining the offering of money or gifts to voters as an electoral offence,” he said.
Nyambe also raised concerns over political party financing, pointing to the lack of adherence to Article 60 (4) of the Constitution, which provides for the establishment of a Political Parties Fund and regulates campaign funding.
He urged the government to expedite the enactment of laws to address electoral financing.
On the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), TI-Z highlighted concerns about its independence.
Nyambe criticized the reliance on town clerks and council secretaries as District Electoral Officers, which he said created confusion and undermined confidence in the electoral process.
He called for the appointment of independent district-level ECZ officials to strengthen election management.
TI-Z commended the Zambia Police Service for fairly enforcing the Public Order Act during the campaign period. However, Nyambe noted that the ECZ had failed to sanction electoral malpractices such as vote buying, which he said undermined its regulatory authority under the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Women’s participation was another issue of concern, with all four political parties fielding male candidates in the by-election.
Nyambe attributed this to high nomination fees, minimum education requirements, and inadequate intra-party policies supporting gender equity.
TI-Z announced plans to use its findings to monitor future elections, including the upcoming by-elections in Petauke and Pambashe.
The organization is set to launch an Elections Monitoring Report in March 2025, aimed at promoting free and fair elections in Zambia.
“We hope this report will contribute to strengthening electoral integrity and fostering democracy,” Nyambe concluded.
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