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 express
… [more]
