Friday, July 3, 2026 - Lusaka, Zambia

With fewer than five (5) weeks remaining before Zambia's General Elections on 13 August 2026, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) advanced its electoral accountability work through two key initiatives under the Citizens' Voice Project - co-implemented with the BBC Media Action. The activities focused on strengthening inclusive electoral participation and enhancing the capacity of community media to support credible, informed election coverage.

Promoting Electoral Participation in Correctional Facilities

On 18 June 2026, JCTR convened a half-day multi-stakeholder policy engagement at The Quorum, Lusaka, to discuss voter education in Zambia's correctional facilities.

The dialogue brought together representatives from the Zambia Correctional Service Commission, Zambia Police Service, Ministry of Justice, and Prisons Care and Counselling Association (PRISCCA) to examine the policy and legal environment governing electoral participation for inmates.

The discussion reaffirmed that Article 46 of the Constitution of Zambia guarantees every eligible citizen the right to vote. Participants reflected on the success of the 2021 General Elections, during which 13,540 inmates registered to vote and 90.5% cast their ballots, demonstrating that electoral participation in correctional facilities is both practical and achievable.

However, stakeholders highlighted a significant policy gap: the absence of a statutory instrument providing a formal framework for granting voter educators and voter registration officials access to correctional facilities. Without such a legal framework, access remains dependent on discretionary administrative arrangements, making it difficult to sustain consistent voter education and registration between election cycles.

Although unable to attend the meeting, the Human Rights Commission has since requested a briefing on the outcomes of the engagement. The event also received media coverage from ZNBC, which recorded proceedings for broadcast, and KBN TV.

Strengthening Election Monitoring by Community Radio Stations

From 25 to 27 June 2026, JCTR conducted a three-day training on election monitoring for 30 production staff and community journalists drawn from its nine partner radio stations.

The training was designed to strengthen the capacity of community media to provide accurate, responsible, and conflict-sensitive election coverage throughout the electoral process.

Facilitators from the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) guided participants through election observation methodologies, incident documentation, and the legal distinction between domestic election monitors and international observers. Meanwhile, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia led sessions on conflict-sensitive electoral reporting and ethical journalism during elections.

To reinforce practical learning, participants took part in a simulated election day exercise, documenting mock incidents and producing short radio news packages based on their observations.

JCTR also provided sessions outlining the organisation's election campaign strategy and expectations for media engagement during the campaign period, polling day, and the post-election phase.

Through these initiatives, JCTR continues to promote inclusive democratic participation, strengthen civic accountability, and support informed public engagement as Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Elections.