Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 370 organizations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns, through an open letter, are urging Zambian authorities to ensure unfettered access to the internet throughout the upcoming elections.
As millions of people prepare to cast their votes on August 13, 2026, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition call on President Hakainde Hichilema to issue a directive to all relevant institutions, including the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), the Ministry of Technology and Science, and all internet service providers (ISPs) operating in the country, to refrain from disrupting access to the internet and digital platforms and to ensure unrestricted access during the electoral cycle and beyond.
In June 2026, the Ministry of Technology and Science assured the people of Zambia that the government will not deliberately shut down the internet during the upcoming elections. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition welcome this commitment and will be watching.
History must not repeat itself in Zambia. Access to information and freedom of expression are rights that must be exercised freely. During elections, these rights play a critical role in advancing transparency and credibility. President Hichilema must publicly affirm and enforce the commitment made by the Ministry of Technology and Science assuring the people of Zambia that internet shutdowns will not be tolerated before, during, or after the elections.Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn Global Campaign Manager at Access Now
During the 2021 election, Zambian authorities flipped the kill switch, disrupting access to major social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram across the country. Similar disruptions were reported in 2020 and 2016.
The internet and social media platforms play a critical role in enabling people to exercise their right to freedom of expression, maintain access to important and sometimes lifesaving information, and actively and meaningfully participate in democratic governance. People in Zambia must therefore freely enjoy these fundamental rights without any interference or restriction from the authorities. Access to an open and secure internet contributes significantly to advancing transparency in every democratic process while providing an avenue for people to sound the alarm and hold authorities accountable for human rights abuses and violations.
Authorities in Zambia have a duty to uphold human rights online and off. There has to be a clear balance between dealing with online harms and upholding rights and freedoms during elections so that there is no further deterioration of human rights and shrinking of civic space. We urge the authorities to take concrete steps to protect fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Zambia, as well as regional and international frameworks. We also reiterate the need for adherence to the provisions of the 2021 consent judgment, which includes commitments to keep the internet open during elections.Richard Mulonga, Chief Executive Officer at Bloggers of Zambia