EU Report Flags Alleged Bribery of Candidates as CCMG Questions Uncontested Elections

By Ennety Munshya

Some candidates in Zambia’s August 13 general elections allegedly received bribes to withdraw from electoral contests, while others reported intimidation and obstruction during nominations, according to the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM).

The allegations have taken on renewed significance following the withdrawal of competing candidates from parliamentary contests in Mandevu and Lumezi North constituencies, leaving voters without an opportunity to choose between candidates at the ballot box.

In a statement issued on November 4, 2026, the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) warned that the growing number of uncontested parliamentary elections threatens meaningful political competition and risks weakening Zambia’s multiparty democracy.

CCMG expressed concern over the withdrawal of competing candidates, noting that although electoral laws permit a candidate to be declared elected where only one validly nominated candidate remains, repeated uncontested elections raise questions about citizens’ right to choose their representatives.

In Lumezi North Constituency in Eastern Province, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) declared the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate elected after other candidates withdrew from the race.

Similarly, a parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 5, 2026, in Mandevu Constituency in Lusaka will not proceed after all three competing candidates withdrew, leaving the UPND candidate as the only validly nominated contestant.

CCMG acknowledged that candidates may withdraw from elections for personal, political or institutional reasons, but warned that withdrawals occurring under questionable circumstances could undermine the credibility of democratic competition.

“CCMG is concerned by allegations that some candidates in Mandevu experienced persistent harassment, intimidation and pressure prior to their withdrawal. These allegations, which have been publicly raised by political actors, require impartial investigation by the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is found,” the organisation said in a statement issued by its Programme Director, Peter Mwanangombe.

The concerns come just a day after the release of the EU EOM’s final report on Zambia’s August 13 general elections.

The report documented allegations that some candidates had been bribed to withdraw, intimidated or prevented from reaching nomination centres.

Other candidates reported that police detention had been used to prevent them from filing their nominations.

The mission also described candidate adoption and nomination processes as chaotic in some instances, citing opaque party selection procedures and internal political disputes.

Although these allegations were reported to EU observers, the report does not establish that every alleged incident occurred or that the recent withdrawals in Mandevu involved bribery.

The EU further identified uncertainty surrounding candidate withdrawals as one of the shortcomings in the ECZ’s administration of the electoral process.

More broadly, the mission found that fundamental democratic rights, particularly freedoms of assembly and expression, were restricted during the elections.

It also reported that the misuse of state resources, police bias and unequal campaign conditions disadvantaged some political contestants.

The findings reinforce longstanding concerns about the fairness of political competition in Zambia, where successive EU election observation missions have repeatedly recommended reforms to guarantee equal campaign opportunities.

CCMG has now called on government and state institutions to strengthen safeguards against intimidation, harassment and undue interference in electoral contests.

It has also urged the Zambia Police Service to investigate allegations of political intimidation, violence and obstruction of electoral participation impartially.

The organisation further called on the ECZ to review the legal and administrative framework governing candidate withdrawals after nominations to ensure that such decisions are genuinely voluntary and free from coercion.

CCMG said political competition should be based on ideas, policies and public support rather than fear, intimidation or restrictions on political participation.

“The strength of democracy is measured not only by whether elections are held, but by whether citizens have meaningful choices and whether political competition takes place in an environment where all participants can engage freely and safely,” the organisation said.