Voters With Disabilities Face Challenges at Some Polling Stations - ZAFOD

The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) says voting in the 2026 General Election has generally proceeded peacefully and in accordance with Electoral Commission of Zambia procedures, but significant accessibility challenges have been recorded for persons with disabilities.

In its Election Day observation statement, ZAFOD said 77 of the 79 polling stations it monitored had opened by 07:00 hours, with the remaining two opening between 07:00 and 09:00. One of the delayed stations opened late because ballot papers had not arrived on time.

However, the organisation said accessibility remained a major concern.

Of the polling locations observed, 18 were reported as difficult for persons with disabilities to access. Observers identified steps, stairs, inadequate ramps and a lack of handrails among the physical barriers encountered. At 51 polling stations, observers reported a lack of ramps, while 75 lacked handrails.

ZAFOD also found gaps in accessible election information. Procedures for persons with disabilities were posted at only 36 polling stations, while Election Day instructions and procedures in sign language were unavailable at 59 polling stations observed.

Despite these challenges, ZAFOD said 66 polling stations were arranged in a manner that allowed persons with disabilities to participate easily in voting.

The organisation recorded only three critical incidents by 16:00 hours. These included an observer with a disability temporarily being prevented from observing in Kabompo, delayed delivery of ballot papers at Chiyombela Primary School in Kasama, and a 20-minute disruption caused by a drunk individual at Mutima Secondary School in Luapula Province. All three incidents were resolved.

Overall, ZAFOD said voting at the stations it observed was orderly and peaceful, with essential election materials largely available and only isolated critical incidents recorded.

It has, however, called on the ECZ and other electoral stakeholders to address accessibility barriers and strengthen the participation and representation of persons with disabilities throughout the electoral process.