July 24, 2026-The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have equal access to electoral information and services.
Speaking during the official opening of a two-day Provincial Workshop on Inclusive Electoral Participation of Persons with Disabilities ahead of the 2026 General Election, Mansa District Electoral Officer, Dr. Josephine Mwanza, acknowledged that although progress has been made over the years, several barriers such as inaccessible polling stations, limited availability of accessible voter education materials among others, continue to hinder the meaningful participation of PWDs in the electoral process.
Dr. Mwanza noted that the Commission has therefore continued to implement practical measures aimed at improving electoral accessibility. She said these measures include the production of Braille voter education materials, Sign Language voter education resources, tactile ballot paper jackets, disability-inclusive voter education strategies and the training of election officials on inclusive electoral practices.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) representative, Mrs. Emma Phiri, who is also facilitating the workshop, expressed gratitude to the Commission for prioritising inclusion, saying the initiative demonstrates a genuine commitment to promoting inclusivity, unlike in the past.
The two-day workshop, being held at Sali Riverside Resort in Mansa, is part of a nationwide provincial programme being implemented by the Electoral Commission of Zambia in collaboration with the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
During the workshop, participants are expected to review the Commission’s preparedness for the 2026 General Election, discuss constitutional and electoral reforms, examine measures aimed at enhancing the participation of Persons with Disabilities and develop recommendations to strengthen inclusive electoral processes in future elections
