President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in an election featuring 14 presidential candidates, but the final days of campaigning have been accompanied by renewed calls for political parties to protect civic space and ensure a peaceful vote.
Amnesty International today issued a warning that stalled electoral reforms risk reversing human-rights gains in Zambia, urging all presidential candidates to commit themselves to protecting fundamental freedoms and reversing what it described as a growing pattern of authoritarian practices.
The concerns place Zambia's democratic record under renewed scrutiny at a time when the country is preparing for one of its most closely watched elections in recent years.
Rights groups raise concerns
Amnesty's latest assessment focuses on restrictions affecting political participation and civic freedoms ahead of the August 13 election. This defender of human rights organisation has called on the next administration to strengthen protections for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation, arguing that democratic progress cannot be measured solely by the holding of elections.This concerns come as opposition parties and other political actors have continued to raise questions about the political environment in the run-up to the vote,Allegations which the government has rejected and stated that it is not deliberately restricting political competition.
For Zambia, however, the debate is significant because the country has historically been viewed as one of the more competitive electoral democracies in Southern Africa, and therefore the manner in which Thursday's election is conducted will therefore be judged not only by the final results but also by whether political parties, journalists, civil society organisations and voters are able to participate freely.
Regional observers arrive
The African Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa have already deployed a joint election observation mission to Zambia.The mission is expected to observe the electoral process and assess the conduct of the vote against regional and continental democratic standards.The arrival of regional observers gives the election an additional layer of scrutiny because their oversight and assessment could become particularly important if political parties challenge aspects of the voting process or the announcement of results.
For Zambia's electoral authorities, the task is therefore not simply to organise voting day but also maintain public confidence in the process.
The Church has called for calm
Religious leaders have also stepped into the final hours before the election with calls for peace.
The Archdiocese of Lusaka has confirmed candlelight prayers for peace ahead of the vote, while stressing that the initiative should not be politicised.This appeal reflects concerns shared across the political divide that tensions during an election can quickly escalate, particularly when competing parties dispute results or accuse one another of wrongdoing.
Zambia has generally avoided the kind of large-scale electoral violence witnessed in some other African countries, making the preservation of that record an important issue as voters prepare to cast their ballots.
However voters demand for a peaceful election which they say comes alongside wider public expectations about the country's future.
Residents of Lusaka interviewed by Pro 24 Africa said they hoped Thursday's vote would bring meaningful economic and political change, with concerns including employment, living costs and the broader direction of the country.
"We need a fair and transparent Election thats all, irregardless of who wins we want to be able to find jobs,buy food and pay bills, thats all we want" said Amos Ngunza from the streets of Lusaka.
That means the election is unfolding on two parallel fronts.On one side is the political contest between Hichilema and his challengers while on the other is a broader debate over what kind of Zambia voters want after the election, which clearly is a country that combines economic recovery with stronger institutions, greater political openness and improved living standard two issues which are increasingly connected.
Economic progress can strengthen public confidence in government, but concerns over political freedoms can weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
A test for Zambia's democracy
The election will therefore provide a test not only for the candidates but also for Zambia's institutions.
The Electoral Commission will be expected to administer the vote transparently With Political parties expected to face pressure to respect the rules and accept the outcome if the process is judged credibly.
Also Security agencies will be under scrutiny over how they respond to political activity and public demonstrations with voters ultimately expected to determine whether the country's political direction changes or remains under the current administration.
The presence of African Union and COMESA observers, combined with renewed attention from international rights organisations and calls from religious leaders for peace, means the election will be watched closely beyond Zambia's borders.
For Hichilema, a second term would provide an opportunity to continue his economic programme.
For the opposition, the election offers a chance to challenge the ruling party and reshape the country's political direction.
For Zambian voters, however, Thursday presents a more fundamental choice because they will not only be choosing political leaders but will also be deciding what standards they expect from the institutions that govern them.
As polling day approaches, the central challenge for Zambia is therefore clear: to ensure that political competition does not come at the expense of democratic freedoms, and that disagreement does not become conflict.
The credibility of Thursday's vote may ultimately depend as much on what happens between the competing political camps as on the ballots cast inside polling stations.
With reporting from Amnesty International, Africanews, the African Union, COMESA and the Archdiocese of Lusaka.
