No official evidence supports the claim that the Zambia Army will take control of the country during the 2026 elections and announce some election results. The Government, through the Ministry of Information and Media, has dismissed the statement attributed to him as false.
Claim
A Facebook page named Hadodi Hachisanga The Return published a post on 10 August 2026 claiming that the Zambia Army would take full control of the country during the elections and that some election results would be announced by the Army.
Note: To avoid amplifying misinformation, we have excluded the link to the Facebook page containing the claim.
Verdict: False
Rating Justification
The claim is false. There is no official communication from the Government of Zambia, the Zambia Army, or the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) indicating that the Army will take control of the country during the elections or announce election results. During the verification, iVerify Zambia found a statement by Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, who dismissed as false the statement attributed to him and circulating in connection with the claim.
More importantly, Zambia’s constitutional and electoral framework assigns responsibility for the conduct and management of elections to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The Zambia Army does not have a mandate to take over the administration of elections or announce election results.
The role of the defence forces during elections is to safeguard national security and territorial integrity and, where necessary, support civil authorities in maintaining peace and security. This role is intended to help create a safe and peaceful environment for citizens to participate in the electoral process. It does not give the Army authority to administer elections or declare election results.
Conclusion
The claim that the Zambia Army will take control of the country during the elections and announce some election results is false. No official evidence supports the claim, and the Government Chief Spokesperson has dismissed the statement attributed to him as false. The Electoral Commission of Zambia is responsible for conducting elections and announcing election results. The Zambia Army’s role during the electoral period is limited to supporting national security and maintaining peace when required, rather than taking control of the electoral process.
False claims involving security forces can heighten fear, undermine public confidence in institutions, and create unnecessary tensions during an already sensitive electoral period.
Evidence
- Statement by Thabo Kawana dismissing the claim:
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