Zambia: Civic Space for Election Observers (2025)

Composite Score: 6.0/10 — Obstructed

Progressive decline, funding challenges

Overview

Civic space faces significant obstacles. Observers encounter systematic barriers to their work.

Zambia received a composite score of 6.0/10 in the 2025 AfEONet assessment, placing it in the Obstructed category. This assessment covers Southern Africa and evaluates eight dimensions of civic space for election observers.

Dimension Scores

Analysis by Dimension

1. Regulatory Framework (6/10)

The legal and regulatory environment for election observers in Zambia offers partial protections with notable gaps.

2. Administrative Constraints (6/10)

Administrative processes present manageable but notable obstacles for observer organizations seeking accreditation and access.

3. EMB Relationship (6/10)

The relationship between civil society observer organizations and the Electoral Management Body is mixed, with areas of cooperation alongside tensions.

4. Security & Well-being (5/10)

Physical security conditions for election observers present moderate concerns requiring vigilance.

5. Access to Electoral Data (6/10)

Observer access to electoral data and transparency mechanisms exists but faces systematic limitations.

6. Access to Funding (5/10)

Financial sustainability for observer organizations is precarious, with heavy dependence on external sources.

7. Dialogue & Consultation (6/10)

Mechanisms for dialogue between observer organizations and government institutions exist but are inconsistent.

8. Perception of Observers (6/10)

Public and institutional perception of election observers is mixed, with some acceptance and some suspicion.

Key Findings

• Composite Score: 6.0/10 (Obstructed)
• Strongest dimension: Regulatory Framework (6/10)
• Weakest dimension: Security & Well-being (5/10)
• Region: Southern Africa

Recommendations

Based on the 2025 assessment, priority areas for improvement in Zambia include:

1. Consolidate regulatory frameworks — Close regulatory gaps affecting observer access
2. Develop funding mechanisms — Build more sustainable and diversified funding models
3. Strengthen EMB-CSO collaboration — Formalize cooperation protocols between EMBs and observer organizations

Methodology

This assessment is based on the AfEONet Report 2025: Eyes on the Ballot Watchers by Abel Eseru. Scores reflect evaluation of eight dimensions on a 0-10 scale:

Note: Scores are estimates based on the report. Verification with AfEONet field data is recommended.