Hrc Records 37 Election Violence Cases, Raises Detention Concerns

She says although voting and counting proceeded in an orderly manner at many locations, the report notes operational challenges, including late opening of polling stations, shortages of materials and disputes at polling and totalling centres. It also identifies limitations in access to certain stages of results verification and aggregation.

The Commission recommends that the ECZ establish a clear crisis-communication protocol and provide regular public updates whenever electoral processes are disrupted, delayed or suspended. Any suspension should be necessary, proportionate, time-bound and, where practicable, limited to affected areas.

On political participation, the report highlights the underrepresentation of women, who accounted for 7.1 percent of presidential candidates, 12.5 percent of parliamentary candidates, 10.9 percent of mayoral and council chairperson candidates, and 8.5 percent of ward councillor candidates. It also records reports of cyberbullying, intimidation, threats and gender-based harassment against women in elections.

Persons with disabilities faced barriers, including inaccessible polling facilities and difficulties obtaining appropriate voting assistance, potentially limiting their ability to vote independently and by secret ballot.

The Commission is urging political parties and other stakeholders to promote the participation of women, young people and persons with disabilities, while calling on public media to provide fair, balanced and equitable coverage of political contestants and greater transparency in the allocation of election-related airtime.

It has also recommended that Government and Parliament review electoral, public order and criminal procedure laws to strengthen human rights protection and access to effective remedies.

Law-enforcement agencies are urged to maintain accurate custody registers, promptly disclose the location and legal status of detainees to authorised persons, ensure access to lawyers, family and medical care, and bring arrested persons before court without undue delay. Police bond should be granted where legally appropriate.

The Judiciary and National Prosecution Authority are also urged to ensure continuity of judicial services during politically sensitive periods, while political parties, candidates and supporters are called upon to reject violence, intimidation, hate speech, destruction of campaign materials and interference with electoral processes.

The Commission deployed approximately 175 monitors to constituency and district totalling centres and the National Results Centre. It also operated an Election Situation Room, received complaints through its offices, field monitors and toll-free line 8181, visited police stations and detention facilities, and conducted investigations, mediation, referrals and follow-ups.

The monitoring was conducted under Article 230 of the Constitution of Zambia and the Human Rights Commission Act No. 4 of 2024, guided by regional and international human rights standards.

The Commission says it will continue monitoring outstanding election-related human rights concerns, investigate alleged violations within its mandate and engage responsible institutions to secure accountability and redress where violations are established.