20/06/2026
20 June 2026
The Chief Electoral Officer
Electoral Commission of Zambia
ECZ Headquarters
Haile Selassie Avenue
Lusaka, Zambia
Subject: Objection to Alteration of Campaign Timetable – Request to Uphold 23 May to 12 August 2026 Campaign Period for All Presidential Candidates.
Dear Mr. Brown Kasaro,
1. Introduction
I write on behalf of Presidential Candidates standing in the General Election 2026 regarding the ECZ Advisory dated 18 June 2026, which seeks to impose a new Presidential Campaign Timetable effective 20 June 2026.
We acknowledge ECZ’s mandate to ensure order and fairness. However, the proposed alteration during an active campaign period undermines legal certainty, legitimate expectations, and the principle of equal opportunity guaranteed under Zambian law.
1. The Lawful Campaign Period as Published
2. ECZ’s own roadmap published for the 2026 General Election states that campaigns will run for three months from 21 May to 12 August 2026.
3. A subsequent announcement confirmed the official campaign period as 23 May to 12 August 2026.
4. Presidential nominations were scheduled and conducted from 18 to 22 May 2026, and candidates have since been campaigning in reliance on this published timetable.
Having relied on this official schedule, candidates have entered into contracts for venues, media, transport, and mobilization. Any unilateral change mid-period violates the doctrine of legitimate expectation.
1. Legal Arguments
A. Statutory Definition of Campaign Period
The Electoral Process (Amendment) Act, 2026 amended Section 2 of the Electoral Process Act, defining “campaign period” as _“the period determined by the Commission in accordance with section 28”_.
Section 28 must be read together with the Constitution and principles of administrative justice. The Commission’s power to “determine” does not extend to arbitrarily shortening or rescheduling a period already in force without due process and consultation.
B.Constitutional Principle of Equality and Fairness
Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia and ECZ’s own mandate require elections to be conducted in a manner that ensures fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates.
ECZ stated that the new timetable is to “provide a fair and equal platform for all candidates”. The most direct way to achieve this is to maintain the original 23 May – 12 August window for all 14 candidates, while enforcing conduct rules uniformly.
C. Due Process and Consultation
The ECZ Advisory allows campaigns to proceed only up to 19 June 2026, then mandates compliance with a new timetable to be agreed on 22 June 2026.
This short notice does not allow candidates to adjust programs without significant financial and logistical loss. Natural justice requires that changes affecting vested rights be made with adequate notice and consensus.
1. Request and Proposal
To preserve the integrity of the process and avoid unnecessary litigation, we respectfully request that ECZ:
1.Uphold the published campaign period of 23 May to 12 August 2026 for all presidential candidates.
2. Maintain the first amendment agreement program. as originally announced, allowing each candidate to campaign according to their own schedule within that period, subject to public order and safety regulations under the Public Order Act.
3. Use the 22 June 2026 meeting to agree on conduct guidelines, venue allocation protocols, and dispute resolution mechanisms, rather than to reassign dates and time slots.
4. Publish in writing. the legal basis and rationale for any proposed deviation, at least 14 days before it takes effect.
5. Conclusion
The credibility of the August 13, 2026 General Election depends on consistent application of rules and equal treatment of all presidential candidates. Altering the timetable mid-campaign risks perceptions of bias and erodes public trust.
We remain committed to a peaceful, orderly, and issue-based campaign. We request a written response to this letter by 21 June 2026, ahead of the scheduled stakeholder meeting.
Yours faithfully,
Malambo M Oashuhood
EOA.
Concern Zambian Citizen.
CC:
1. Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Zambia
2. Attorney General
3. All Presidential Candidates
Key legal references used:
- Electoral Process (Amendment) Act, 2026 – definition of “campaign period”
- ECZ 2026 Election Roadmap – campaign dates 21 May to 12 August 2026
- ECZ Advisory 18 June 2026 – proposed new timetable and 22 June meeting
