Vernon Mwaanga says fair elections are difficult, even in established democracies

Veteran Zambian politician Vernon Mwaanga says decades of following elections have convinced him that conducting a free and fair vote is not always straightforward. Drawing on experience at home and abroad, he argues that electoral disputes are not confined to one country or political system. In comments reported by the source, Mwaanga recalled following Zambia’s general elections since January 1964. He also said he had worked as an international election observer in West Africa, the Great Lakes region, the Southern African Development Community and Asia. Those assignments, he suggested, gave him a wider perspective on the challenges faced by election authorities. His remarks come after the European Union Election Observation Mission raised concerns about Zambia’s August 2026 general elections. The mission said the suspension of vote counting and the subsequent closure of courts had restricted transparency and access to justice. Mwaanga’s response, as reported, placed those concerns in the broader context of electoral problems experienced internationally. He said Western democracies also face difficulties, including accusations of rigging. The point was not that every disputed process is alike, but that claims and controversies can arise even in countries with long-running democratic traditions. Mwaanga’s years watching elections have made the subject a particular interest to him, according to his statement. The article’s available excerpt ends before his full comments are presented, so it does not provide further detail about his assessment of the 2026 vote or what steps he believes could improve the process. Still, his central message is clear: holding elections that are both free and trusted can demand more than simply arranging a polling day, and challenges are not unique to Zambia.