The Electoral Commission Forum for the SADC Countries and the ECF-SADC Election Observation Mission to Zambia, on behalf of the AU and COMESA, have presented their Preliminary Statement following the 13 August 2026 General Elections.

The statement provides the mission's initial assessment of the electoral process, based on observations and engagements with key stakeholders before, during and after polling.

The Electoral Commission Forum of the Southern African Development Community is an independent regional association of elections bodies that was created in 1998.

The forum provides a platform through which the individual member countries' electoral bodies cooperate to promote professional, credible and democratic governance within the region.

In working with other continental bodies, the forum is observing the Zambian elections.

Head of Forum at ECF SADC, Annabel Mtalimanja, added, "Election Day procedures generally proceeded well with no report of widespread intimidation or significant disruptions of polling. The mission, however, observed some operational and logistical challenges, including delay in delivery and inadequacy of materials, which will be elaborated in the coming statement." 

Mtalimanja also disclosed that the mission has extended its stay in the country from the 16th to at least the 19th of August.