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EU Urges Zambia to Address Election Claims Peacefully
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

EU Urges Zambia to Address Election Claims Peacefully

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The European Union acknowledged Zambia's general election results and President Hakainde Hichilema's re-election.
  • The EU encouraged Zambia to address any electoral claims peacefully and constructively through legal channels.
  • The EU noted preliminary findings of its observation mission, which cited general calmness but also restrictions and procedural issues affecting transparency.

The European Union has acknowledged the results of Zambia's general election, which saw President Hakainde Hichilema re-elected for a second term. The EU has urged the nation to handle any post-election claims in a "peaceful and constructive" manner.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) released a statement referencing the preliminary conclusions from the EU Electoral Observation Mission. Invited by Zambian authorities, the mission observed the elections and reported that the polling day was "generally calm." The voting process was described as "efficient," and voters were presented with "competitive options."

The disputes must be resolved through the established legal procedures, and the episodes of violence reported must be duly investigated, ensuring full accountability.

— European External Action Service (EEAS)The EU statement outlined the expected process for addressing electoral claims and reported violence in Zambia.

However, the mission also identified areas of concern. The statement noted that "restrictions on campaigning and advantages derived from the exercise of power contributed to an uneven playing field." Furthermore, "serious incidents and procedural irregularities during the counting and tabulation of votes affected the transparency and credibility of the process."

The voting proceeded in a generally calm manner, was carried out efficiently, and voters had competitive options.

— EU Electoral Observation MissionThe mission's preliminary findings described the general conduct of the election day.

In light of these findings, the EU encouraged all stakeholders to build upon Zambia's democratic track record. The union stressed that disputes should be resolved through established legal procedures, and any reported episodes of violence must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability. The EU affirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with Zambia for a "democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future."

President Hichilema was declared the winner by the Zambian Electoral Commission (ECZ), securing 60.5% of the vote, significantly ahead of his main rival, Brian Mundubile. Approximately 8.7 million voters were eligible to participate in the election, which also included parliamentary and municipal elections. Zambia holds strategic importance globally due to its mineral wealth, particularly copper reserves, making it a focal point for geopolitical competition among powers like China, the United States, and the EU.

Restrictions on campaigning and advantages derived from the exercise of power contributed to an uneven playing field.

— EU Electoral Observation MissionThe mission noted issues that affected the fairness of the election campaign in Zambia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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