1. INTRODUCTION
The Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, specifically Chapter III, Article 13 stipulates that “At the request of any member State, the International Conference may provide help and assistance in organising and running any election in the requesting Member State. Similarly, the Conference may send an election monitoring or observation mission to the country concerned” 1. In view of the above mandate and following an invitation by the Republic of Zambia to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to observe the Presidential election which took place on 20thJanuary 2015, ICGLR sent an observation mission from 14th to 21st January 2015. The mission was led by Mr. Joseph Biribonwa, from Uganda, Deputy Chairperson of the Uganda Electoral Commission. In total, the ICGLR deployed eight (8) observers from Member States of Angola, Central African Republic, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and members of the ICGLR Secretariat. The observers were deployed in the Districts of Chibombo, Chisamba, Chongwe, and Lusaka City. Additionally, two delegates from the Kenyan High Commission headed by Her Excellence Sophy, K. Kombe, High Commissioner accredited to Zambia, Malawi and COMESA joined the mission to add their expertise on the Election Day. The ICGLR Observation Team interacted with a number of stakeholders to establish the political mood on the ground and the general preparedness for the election. There were:
• Electoral Commission of Zambia
• ICGLR – Member States Missions in Lusaka (Kenya, Angola, Burundi)
• Zambia Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Other election observer Missions; COMESA, SADC, AU
The ICGLR Observation Team mission also attended political rallies in and around Lusaka City and further attended one of the Presidential Candidates public debate.

This report provides details of ICGLR election observation mission findings and recommendations for the improvement of Zambia’s future elections. The ICGLR Election Observation Mission is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the ICGLR Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

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