By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is entrusted with one of the highest responsibilities in this democratic country, Zambia: safeguarding free, fair, and credible elections. Its role is to act as a firm, neutral arbiter, ensuring that every vote counts and every candidate is given an equal platform. This responsibility demands not just competence but an unshakeable commitment to impartiality. However, the appointment of Madam Mwangala Zaloumis as the ECZ chairperson is a deeply troubling development, given her strong ties to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). Her open affiliations raise serious doubts about her capacity to lead the ECZ without bias, endangering the credibility of Zambia’s entire democratic process.
Madam Zaloumis’ connection with the UPND is no secret. Her longstanding and visible affiliations with the party, frequent engagements with high-ranking UPND officials, and her apparent endorsement of their policies paint a picture not of an impartial leader but of a loyal political insider. This proximity to the ruling party creates a perception of bias and is seen by many as a direct conflict of interest, posing a severe risk to the neutrality and independence the ECZ must uphold. Public confidence in the ECZ’s fairness is not just an aspiration—it is an absolute requirement for the stability of our democracy.
The chairperson of the ECZ must maintain a nonpartisan stance, ensuring that the Commission protects the rights of all parties equally—especially the opposition. In a competitive multiparty democracy, any indication that the ECZ favors the ruling party could corrode trust and provoke intense disillusionment among opposition supporters and the general public. With Madam Zaloumis at the helm, opposition parties may rightly fear unequal treatment, questioning whether they will receive fair consideration or be stifled by an ECZ leadership that aligns with the ruling government. Her appointment stands as a direct threat to the level playing field that true democracy requires.
No matter her qualifications, Madam Zaloumis’ ties to the UPND pose a fundamental and unresolvable conflict of interest. Key functions of the ECZ—resolving electoral disputes, validating candidates, and announcing results—must be handled by someone who is beyond reproach in their neutrality. How can Madam Zaloumis be expected to make decisions that affect her own party, especially in moments of controversy or close results? This inherent bias places the ECZ’s legitimacy at stake, risking a scenario in which it may be viewed not as an independent regulatory body, but as a partisan extension of the UPND’s influence. This is an unacceptable compromise for an institution that should embody neutrality and trust.
The integrity of our electoral process depends on the public’s absolute confidence in the ECZ’s impartiality. If citizens lose trust in the Commission, the impact could be catastrophic. Zambia’s democracy hinges on transparent, fair elections—an ideal that can only be realized if every voter believes their vote is counted without bias. Madam Zaloumis’ partisanship risks undermining this belief, leading to disillusionment, lower voter turnout, and a rising sense of disenfranchisement. In the worst-case scenario, perceived bias could fuel civil unrest, destabilizing our nation. A democracy can only thrive when its people have faith in the system; if that faith is shaken, so too is Zambia’s future.
Given these grave concerns, the question is clear: how can Madam Zaloumis continue to serve as ECZ chairperson when her ties to the UPND are so pronounced? The stability of our democracy depends on having a chairperson whose loyalty is unambiguously to the nation and its people—not to any political party. For the good of our country and the sanctity of our democratic process, President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration must prioritize the trust and confidence of Zambian citizens. Madam Zaloumis’ partisan affiliations make her unfit for the role and leave the integrity of the ECZ in question.
To protect Zambia’s democracy, this appointment must be reconsidered. The ECZ needs a leader whose neutrality is as unquestionable as their qualifications. A partisan-aligned chairperson is simply incompatible with the ECZ’s role. Zambia deserves a leader of the Commission who will prioritize the nation’s principles above all else—ensuring that our democracy remains truly by the people and for the people, untarnished by political allegiance.
