CLARE MEP Michael McNamara (IND) has been appointed as ‘chief observer’ of the EU’s Election Observation Mission for next month’s general election in Zambia.
The Ireland South representative previously served as a TD for Clare from 2011 to 2016 and again from 2020 to 2024.
McNamara was appointed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas to spearhead the initiative, monitoring the elections due to take place on 13 August at the invitation of the Zambian government. The upcoming elections are being held to elect a president and members of the national assembly in the landlocked country in south-central Africa. McNamara was appointed to the position at a conference in Lusaka, the country’s capital.
As part of the mission, a core team has been in the country since late June with 32 long term observers deployed across the country which is approximately 11 times the size of Ireland. Incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema of the liberal UPND party is the frontrunner in the presidential election which was called due to technical changes in the country’s constitution. Other candidates in the presidential race include Brian Mundubile of the Forum for Democracy and Development Party and Fred M’membe of the Socialist Party. The EU has observed every election in the country since 2001.
Speaking on the election, McNamara outlined that “Zambia has a well-established history of democracy, beginning with the landmark elections of 1991. Zambians’ right to freely choose those who govern them is both enshrined in their Constitution and entrenched in their political tradition”.
Zambia has been independent since breaking away from Rhodesia in 1964 as part of the wider European retreat from empire that followed the end of WWII. The country has been governed by a multi-party democracy since 1991, following the fall of president Kenneth Kaunda who had ruled since independence.
“These elections are an opportunity to build on that proud record. In four weeks’ time, millions of Zambians across all ten provinces will make their choices at the ballot box. It is an honour to be here to witness this important democratic moment”, the independent added.
“We have no interest in seeing any particular candidate or party win – who wins is a matter for Zambian voters, and Zambian voters alone. Let the campaign be vigorous but not violent. Let the process be inclusive, with women, young people and persons with disabilities as well as other marginalised groups taking their full part. Let every stage be transparent – because transparency is what creates trust in the result. And if disputes arise, let them be pursued through dialogue and in accordance with the rule of law”, McNamara continued.
