The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially launched the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Republic of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections, reaffirming the region’s commitment to promoting credible, peaceful and democratic electoral processes in accordance with the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
The Mission was officially launched in Lusaka on 6 August 2026 by the Head of the SADC Election Observation Mission, Honourable Samuel B. Tembenu, SC, Former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Republic of Malawi, representing His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Speaking during the launch, Hon. Tembenu emphasised that the Mission is more than a ceremonial presence, but a demonstration of SADC’s continued commitment to strengthening democracy, constitutional governance and peaceful elections across the region. He noted that the Mission will observe the electoral process objectively and impartially, guided by the SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
The Head of Mission highlighted that the SEOM will assess key aspects of the electoral process, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, equal access to state media, the independence and preparedness of the Electoral Commission, the conduct of political parties, voter education, election security, media coverage, voting procedures, counting of ballots and the resolution of electoral disputes.
Hon. Tembenu announced that the 2026 SEOM comprises 106 personnel drawn from ten SADC Member States; Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The observers will be deployed across all ten provinces of Zambia to observe the pre-election, election-day and post-election phases, including campaigning, voting and ballot counting.
He called upon all registered voters to peacefully exercise their democratic rights on 13 August 2026, urging political parties, candidates, supporters and citizens particularly young people to reject political violence and contribute towards peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections that reflect Zambia’s democratic values.
Earlier, Professor Kula I. Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed that the SEOM was constituted by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ in line with the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. He noted that the Head of Mission is supported by members of the SADC Organ Troika, the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), observers from SADC Member States and the SADC Secretariat.
Professor Theletsane also underscored the importance of building regional capacity in election observation, noting that the SADC Secretariat, in collaboration with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), has trained hundreds of certified election observers across the region to enhance the professionalism and credibility of election observation missions.
The SADC Election Observation Mission will remain in Zambia throughout the electoral process and will issue its Preliminary Statement on 15 August 2026 following its observation of the elections.
