Lydia Tembo
The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has released a report stating that the Kawambwa Constituency by-election, held on December 20, 2024, was conducted in a free and fair environment, with no evidence of rigging schemes.
This finding contradicts the claims made by the Tonse Alliance, which suggested that the ruling party had engaged in such practices. 
The Patriotic Front faction, through Tonse Alliance, had also accused the UPND of colluding with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to steal the election.
However, according to the CCMG report, the elections were peaceful and transparent, with the organization’s parallel voter tabulation showing that the ruling party won the elections.
In the lead-up to the election, the CCMG had recruited and deployed nine Long-Term Observers and 57 Process and Results Verification for Transparency Monitors to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The organization has since encouraged the ECZ to strengthen electoral regulations to prevent any potential irregularities in future elections.
The CCMG’s findings are significant, as they provide an independent assessment of the electoral process and help to build trust in the democratic system.
Overall, the report suggests that the Kawambwa Constituency by-election was a success, with the CCMG playing a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability
