Zambia’s General Elections Results Acknowledged by EU

Zambia: The European Union (EU) has acknowledged the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Zambia regarding the results of the general elections held on 13 August, which saw the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema. The EU's statement comes as part of its ongoing support for Zambia's democratic governance.According to African Press Organization, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which was invited by Zambian authorities, was deployed across the country during the elections. This deployment highlights the EU's commitment to supporting Zambia's democratic processes. In its preliminary findings, the EU EOM observed that the election day was generally calm, with the voting process conducted efficiently. However, it noted that restrictions on campaigning and advantages related to incumbency contributed to an uneven playing field. The mission's latest statement pointed out significant incidents and procedural irregularities during the counting and tabulation stages, which affec ted the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.As the electoral process moves forward, the EU has urged all stakeholders to capitalize on Zambia's strong democratic traditions and to resolve any grievances through peaceful and constructive means. The EU emphasized that disputes should be settled through established legal procedures and that any reported violence should be thoroughly investigated, ensuring full accountability.The EU expressed its appreciation for its longstanding partnership with Zambia and reaffirmed its readiness to continue collaborating to achieve a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future for the Zambian people.