Panos Institute Zambia Warns of Rising Disinformation Threat Ahead of 2026 Polls

 

LUSAKA – Panos Institute Zambia has warned that the country’s information ecosystem is under unprecedented strain as Zambia approaches the 2026 General Elections, citing growing concerns over misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.

Speaking during the relaunch of iVerify Zambia 2.0, Executive Director Vusimuzi Sifile said the spread of false information is not merely a byproduct of the digital age but often the result of deliberate and coordinated efforts.

“Misinformation and disinformation are not accidental,” Mr. Sifile said. “They are often deliberate, coordinated, and well-funded efforts by actors who do not mean well.”

He noted that many of these actors operate behind complex algorithms and digital systems, making it difficult to trace the origins of harmful content.

The upgraded platform, iVerify Zambia 2.0, is Zambia’s national fact-checking and response mechanism designed to detect, verify, and counter misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. The initiative aims to strengthen public trust and protect democratic processes ahead of the 2026 polls.

Mr. Sifile expressed appreciation to United Nations Development Programme Zambia for its support through the Deepening Democracy Programme, funded by Denmark, Luxembourg and the Republic of Korea.

He stressed that safeguarding the information space is a shared responsibility.

“Government, cooperating partners, journalists, civil society, regulators, electoral bodies, digital platforms, community radio stations, faith leaders, and citizens themselves are all part of the information ecosystem,” he said.

Mr. Sifile further warned that political expression remains vulnerable, with disinformation campaigns allegedly targeting institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the police and regulatory bodies in an effort to undermine credibility and divert public attention.

Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia Dr. James Wakiaga said the UNDP works globally to strengthen the entire electoral cycle, from legal and institutional frameworks to civic education and dispute resolution.

He emphasised that credible elections depend not only on sound institutions and processes but also on an informed electorate.

“By spreading false narratives about candidates and electoral institutions and processes, misinformation and disinformation distort citizen awareness, inflame tensions, potentially undermining confidence in the process, even before a single vote is cast,” Mr. Wakiaga said.

He added that the impact of misinformation is not uniform across society. Women in politics, she noted, are disproportionately targeted through online harassment and gendered disinformation aimed at discouraging participation. Young people, often the most active social media users, face high exposure to misleading content and can inadvertently amplify it. Persons with disabilities may encounter additional barriers in accessing verified and inclusive information, increasing their vulnerability to manipulation.

Mr. Wakiaga recalled that in 2021, Zambia became the first country to pilot the AI-powered iVerify fact-checking tool, supported by the Brussels-based Task Force on Electoral Assistance and the Chief Digital Office.

The initiative combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with in-person verification processes to counter false narratives during elections.

“iVerify Zambia 2.0 is both a reminder and a promise that informed citizens are the strongest defence of democracy,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the National Action Coalition on Information Integrity in Elections, Patricia Luhanga, described iVerify Zambia as a central operational mechanism within a coordinated ecosystem of stakeholders.

“Anchored within the Coalition framework, it strengthens our ability to detect, verify, and respond to false or misleading electoral content in a timely and credible manner,” Ms. Luhanga said.

She noted that since its establishment in 2021, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has directly benefited from the iVerify mechanism, particularly in identifying misinformation related to voter registration, candidate nominations, polling procedures and election results.

As the 2026 General Election approaches, she said the enhanced platform will provide even greater value to the Commission.

“The relaunch of iVerify Zambia demonstrates that Zambia is not waiting to react to crises,” Ms. Luhanga added. “We are taking proactive steps to safeguard the integrity of our elections.”

By Samuel Mbewe