On 3rd December, 2025 the Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z) Chairperson, Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, joined stakeholders at the 2025 Zambia Anti-Corruption Conference (ZACC) held at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka.
During the panel discussion, Dr Sambo said that transparency gaps, whether around the voter register, results management, candidates selection or campaign financing, create information vacuums that breed suspicions, rumors and social tensions.
She therefore emphasized that institutions must not wait for formal requests before releasing non-classified information to the public. She called for proactive disclosure of information to make access to information easier, faster and more meaningful for all citizens.
Dr. Sambo also reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to receive and address reports related to access to information. She encouraged the public to report any challenges they face in obtaining information from institutions so that the Commission can intervene appropriately.
She further announced that the HRC will strictly monitor and document any violations of the right to access information during the election period.
Responding to questions on readiness, Dr. Sambo reiterated that the Commission is “more than ready” to operationalize the Act once the guidelines are officially gazetted. She urged all government institutions and organizations to assess their preparedness and align their systems with ATI requirements.
She further highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age. Dr. Sambo cautioned the public to verify information before forwarding or sharing it, noting that unverified messages can cause unnecessary alarm.
Emphasizing media freedom, she called for zero tolerance for the harassment or intimidation of journalists, stating that a free and safe media environment is key to transparent elections.
