Observers for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Zambia's presidential, parliamentary and local government general elections undergo a four-day refresher training.

The training is expected to roar into life on 01 to 04 August in Lusaka ahead of the official launch and subsequent deployment on 06 August.

SADC head of communications and public relations, Barbara Lopi said the observation mission has been set up to be observe Zambia's forthcoming general elections slated for 13 August.

Lopi said the development is in line with the regional bloc's Article 8.1 of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections of 2021.

She said the Mission forms part of SADC's continued commitment to promoting democratic governance, credible electoral processes, consolidating peace, security and political stability across the region.

“The Secretariat will also facilitate the Pre-Deployment Refresher Training for election observers and support the overall coordination of the observation mission. Following the graduation of the observers by the Head of Mission on 05 August 2026, the official launch of the SEOM is scheduled for 06 August 2026, after which observers will be deployed across all the 10 Provinces of Zambia to undertake pre-election, election-day and immediate post election observation activities.”

Zambia holds its general election on 13 August, a single polling day on which voters choose the president, the 156 elected members of the National Assembly, and the country's mayors, council chairpersons and local-government councillors.