The Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z) has called on stakeholders in the electoral process to promote inclusive citizen participation by upholding human rights in all election-related activities.
Speaking during a stakeholder’s engagement meeting on elections and human rights in Mansa yesterday, 27th November 2025, HRC-Z Manager for Human Rights Advocacy, Mr. Simon Mulumbi, urged stakeholders to ensure that the rights of vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, are upheld at all times to enable them participate fully and effectively during the elections.
“How many political parties here have ever considered using sign language interpreters during their engagements with the electorate? Almost none and this ought to change as we head to the campaign period for the 13th August 2026 general elections,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Kunda Chikumbi, who had a hearing impairment, stressed that persons with disabilities faced challenges when voting, as they were usually directed on who to vote for and the infrastructure at polling stations was usually not suitable for them to freely cast their votes.
Many stakeholders acknowledged the challenges faced by persons with disabilities during voting and stressed the need for respecting the rights of all persons with disabilities and the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012.
Furthermore, Mr. Mulumbi noted that citizen participation would increase only when the election process is peaceful, stressing that law enforcement officers had a duty to protect all citizens regardless of their political opinions or affiliation.
Meanwhile, Mansa District Commissioner, Ms. Ireen Chivweta, commended HRC-Z for the timely engagement of stakeholders in the district on elections and human rights issues, saying the initiative would immensely help in strengthening and deepening Zambia’s democracy.
Ms. Chifweta noted that the engagement, “offers us a valuable space to collectively reflect on, discuss and interrogate two essential pillars of democratic governance, which are free and fair elections and the protection and promotion of Human Rights.”
She encouraged stakeholders to identify and address any gaps in the electoral process and strengthen mechanisms that safeguard the rights and dignity of all citizens.
During the engagement meeting, stakeholders raised various issues including challenges related to the implementation of the Public Order Act, political violence, the need for continuous voter education, media freedom and the protection of journalists during elections, among others.
Among the stakeholders who participated in the meeting were political parties, the clergy, civil society organisations, police and representatives of various government departments in Mansa.
HRC-Z also featured on One Love Radio to sensitise residents of Mansa and neighbouring areas on elections and human rights issues.
