Leaving No Voter Behind: Strengthening Inclusive Electoral Participation Ahead of Zambia's 2026 Elections

By Alain Kabinda

"Every human being alive today is a potential person with a disability. My answer to the question, 'Do you have a disability?' is: not yet."

Those powerful words from Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) Programme Manager Misheck Katongo Mutamba set the tone for the Electoral Commission of Zambia's (ECZ) Provincial Workshop under the theme:  Strengthening Inclusive Electoral Participation of Persons with Disabilities Ahead of the 2026 General Elections, held in Lusaka.

The speech challenged participants to rethink disability—not as an issue affecting a small section of society, but as a reality that could touch anyone through ageing, illness or injury. It also underscored the workshop's central message: inclusive elections are not a favour extended to persons with disabilities; they are a constitutional obligation and a measure of a healthy democracy.

                                                   (Mr. Misheck Katongo Mutamba)

With Zambia's 2026 General Elections only few weeks away, the conversation has shifted from whether persons with disabilities have the right to vote—that right is already guaranteed by law—to whether they will be able to participate fully, independently and with dignity.

The 2026 elections will be the first conducted under the Constitution Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025 and the Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 12 of 2026, which introduced a mixed-member proportional representation system and reserved seats in Parliament and local councils for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The reforms have been hailed as a landmark in Zambia's democratic journey, promising greater political representation for groups that have historically been underrepresented.

Yet participants at the workshop agreed that legislation alone cannot dismantle the barriers many citizens with disabilities continue to encounter.

Physical access to polling stations, accessible voter education materials, independent voting, inclusive technology and public attitudes remain critical challenges that require sustained attention.

Mr. Mutamba reminded participants that many of the gains being celebrated today were won through persistent advocacy.

He recalled how ZAFOD challenged the Electoral Commission in court over inaccessible polling stations, election materials and procedures that prevented many persons with disabilities from participating equally in previous elections. The court ruled that those barriers had to be addressed, compelling institutions to begin implementing more inclusive measures.

While acknowledging the progress made, Mutamba said disability rights advocates are now looking beyond policy commitments.

"We've been knocking on closed doors. We are tired of rhetoric. Commitment is a feeling. Taking action is another," he said.

Drawing comparisons with Zambia's women's rights movement, he argued that disability inclusion is following a similar path—from recognition to respect and, ultimately, to meaningful participation.

One of ZAFOD's key recommendations is the recruitment of more persons with disabilities as Electoral Commission officials, particularly at polling stations.

"We want to see persons with disabilities working as ECZ officials. Then we'll know the commitment is real," he said.

He also urged the Commission to use voter registration data more effectively when distributing accessible election materials so that resources reach those who need them most.

"Don't audit 200 employees and celebrate having one person with a disability," he said. "Disability is everyone's business."

Speaking during the official opening of the workshop ECZ Manager for Voter Education Emma Mwiinga Simfukwe outlined several initiatives the Commission has introduced ahead of the 2026 elections.

                                                          (Ms. Emma Mwiinga Simfukwe)

These include voter education materials in Braille, sign language interpretation, tactile ballot paper jackets that enable blind and visually impaired voters to cast their ballots independently, disability-inclusive voter education strategies and nationwide training for election officials.

"Persons with disabilities are not merely beneficiaries of electoral services," Simfukwe said.

"They are equal citizens with constitutional rights to register, access information independently and in secrecy, contest elections and govern."

She added that ECZ is working closely with development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to strengthen inclusive electoral processes across the country.

Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that challenges remain. Some polling stations are still physically inaccessible, accessible information does not always reach intended audiences, digital platforms remain difficult for some users to navigate, and stigma continues to discourage participation.

One of the workshop's most memorable moments came when Simfukwe posed a simple question to participants.

"Those of us wearing glasses—can you function normally without them?"

Her point was that disability is often viewed as affecting "other people," yet impairment can result from ageing, illness, accidents or other life events.

"We do not want people to wait until they acquire a disability before responding to our call. Let us build an inclusive Zambia before any one of us becomes a person with a disability," she said.

She reminded participants that inclusion is not an event but an ongoing process.

"The journey of inclusivity is not achieved in a day. We take small steps every day. What is important is that we keep moving forward."

The message resonated throughout the workshop: building an inclusive electoral system is not about accommodating a minority. It is about creating institutions that work for everyone.

For Joel Chiwara, a participant living with albinism, the workshop was more than a policy discussion. It was a deeply personal experience.

                                                                      (Joel Chiwara)

"Growing up, I often felt different because of my albinism. People would make assumptions about what I could or could not do, and sometimes I felt invisible in discussions about national issues," he told the Daily News.

He said the workshop renewed his confidence that democracy has room for everyone.

"What encouraged me most was learning that inclusion is about ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in shaping the country's future. For the first time, I felt that my experiences and opinions were valued alongside everyone else's."

Joel noted that many people are unaware that persons with albinism often live with low vision, making ordinary election materials difficult to read.

"Simple measures such as large-print materials, clear signage and accessible polling stations can make a huge difference," he said.

Meeting participants from different disability groups also strengthened his belief that inclusion benefits society as a whole.

"Listening to the experiences of others reminded me that although our challenges may differ, we all share the same desire—to participate equally and with dignity. Inclusion should not depend on how someone looks; it should be a guarantee for every citizen."

Inspired by the discussions, Joel said he plans to encourage more persons with albinism to register as voters, seek accurate electoral information and actively participate in civic life.

"The 2026 elections should be remembered as elections where no one was left behind. Every Zambian deserves the opportunity to vote, to be heard and to contribute to the future of our nation. That is what true inclusion looks like."

As the Lusaka workshop will be concluded, participants are expected to develop recommendations to strengthen ECZ's preparations for the 2026 General Elections and take the lessons learned back to their communities.

The workshop served as a reminder that inclusive elections are not achieved through legislation alone. They require accessible infrastructure, informed institutions, political will and a society that values every citizen equally.

Perhaps the most enduring lesson came from Mutamba's opening words: "Not yet disabled."

The phrase challenges every Zambian to recognise that disability is not someone else's issue. It is part of the human experience.

Building an electoral system that is accessible today is not simply about protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. It is about safeguarding the future of a democracy that belongs to everyone.