FALSE : ECZ-Dual Voting Systems

FALSE: The Electoral Commission of Zambia did not announce the use of two voter cards in upcoming elections . The commission disowned the announcement

A post on Facebook showing that  The electoral commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that 2026 elections will be conducted using two different voters’ cards – the 2021 cards and the new ones currently being issued—is FALSE. 

ECZ did not announce the use of two voters’ cards for the 2026 elections; the ongoing voter registration will cover new voter registrations, replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, and transfers. Citizens who already possess voter cards issued in 2020 or who registered during the continuous registration process do not need to register again, as their cards remain valid for the 2026 election.

On 17th September, a Facebook user shared a blog post claiming that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had announced the use of two different voter’s cards for the 2026 elections. The blog post was accompanied by two images: the first was a screenshot from the News Diggers! newspaper dated 8th September 2025, with the headline, “2021 voters’ cards still valid for 2026—ECZ.” Above this headline appeared a photo of ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro.

Screenshot of News Diggers’ article on ECZ Press Briefing

An image search confirmed that the picture originated from a News Diggers! newspaper headline dated 8th September 2025. The article reported on ECZ’s ongoing voter registration exercise and the status of the 2021 voters’ register. However, the content did not state that the ECZ would allow two different voter cards to be used in 2026.

In a press release issued on 18th September 2025, the ECZ condemned this claim as false and misleading, clarifying, “There is only one official voter’s card which has been approved and is issued by the Commission.” The Commission further explained that individuals who registered in 2020 or during the Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) exercise from June 2022 and already hold valid cards do not need to register again.

According to the ECZ, voter cards issued during the 2020 registration and subsequent CRV (from 2022 onwards) remain valid until 2030. The current exercise is focused on updating the register and aligning the card design and logo with ECZ’s new branding—not on creating a second, parallel system. The Commission also assured the public that its system incorporates verification and deduplication measures, including the use of NRC numbers, fingerprints, and portraits, to prevent multiple registrations or ghost voters.

Therefore, the allegation that the ECZ will conduct the 2026 elections using two different voter cards is false. The Commission has confirmed that there will be one harmonised system, with existing voter cards issued in 2020 and during CRV remaining valid until 2030. Suggestions of dual registers or “rigging” are unfounded. 

This fact-check was produced by Mzeziti Mwanza as part of the African Fact-checking Alliance incubation programme. It was produced with peer mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools. The editorial decision remains with CYLA.

MISSING CONTEXT: Minimum Alternative Tax is not imposed on all poor Zambians before selling anything, even at a loss

FALSE: Hakainde Hichilema (HH) did not unilaterally introduce the Minimum Alternative Tax, to be  imposed on all poor Zambians before selling anything, even at a loss.

The claim falsely claims that MAT was enacted by Parliament under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act No. 10 of 2025, not unilaterally by the President.It falsely claims that all poor Zambians must pay it before selling anything (MAT applies only to certain businesses above a turnover threshold). It also falsely claims that non-payment automatically leads to jail (the law prescribes standard administrative procedures, not automatic imprisonment).

A Facebook post claiming that the Zambian President has introduced a law requiring all poor Zambians to pay a new tax, the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT), before selling anything—even at a loss—and non-payment leads to jail is FALSE. 

On 30th August, 2025 a facebook user shared a post with words, “ HH has brought a new TAX for ALL poor Zambians to pay govt before selling anything even if it's at a loss called MINIMUM ALTERNATIVE TAX, jail if you don't pay. Eg: For every 100 bags of maize you harvest, 1 is for UPND GOVT in addition to old taxes. (Income tax Amendment #10 of 2025.).. scammers kuyabebele! 2026 ni pamakasa 👣 EFF.

Screenshot of Facebook Post

However, the claim that the Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (HH), who is referred to as HH, unilaterally introduced a tax forcing all poor Zambians to pay before selling anything, with jail as a penalty for non-payment, is false.

Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) does not apply to all Zambians, particularly not to poor or subsistence-level traders. This is in reference to subsistence-level traders with limited earning capacity who cannot afford high taxes.  Several categories are exempt, and the law does not provide for automatic imprisonment for non-payment. MAT was enacted by Parliament under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act No. 10 of 2025, not by presidential decree or statutory instrument.

The claim misrepresents both the manner in which the law was introduced and its intended application. Only businesses that do not fall under existing tax exemptions are subject to MAT. Section 14A(5) of the Act exempts those liable for presumptive tax or turnover tax, meaning small-scale traders and farmers are not affected. The charging schedule caps the tax at 1% of annual turnover, not a blanket fee on every sale.

MAT is a minimum tax on turnover for eligible businesses and is creditable against future income tax for up to five years, serving as a safeguard to ensure compliance and reduce tax avoidance among larger companies. Enforcement follows standard administrative procedures—jail is not prescribed.

In an official statement on 31 August 2025, the Zambia Revenue Authority confirmed that all SMEs with an annual turnover below K5 million are exempt from MAT, further showing that the tax does not target poor Zambians.

Screenshot from Zambia Revenue Authority Facebook Page

The false claim also wrongly suggests that the President exceeded constitutional powers. In reality, MAT followed the normal parliamentary process: the Bill was debated, voted on by Members of Parliament, assented to by the President, and came into effect according to the Act.

Spreading this misinformation risks creating unnecessary fear and confusion, particularly among vulnerable groups, and undermines public trust in democratic and fiscal institutions.

This fact-check was produced by Mzeziti Mwanza as part of the African Fact-checking Alliance incubation program. It was produced with peer mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools. The editorial decision remains with CYLA.

False : The Teaching Professions bill does not provide for a five year jail term for unemployed teachers who fail to pay annual teaching license

The Teaching Council of Zambia termed the allegations as untrue

On 22nd August, 2025, Facebook users shared a video accompanied with the words “Ba TEACHER balakakwa! Zambian TEACHERS to be JAILED Up to 5 YRS IMPRISONMENT WHO FAIL TO PAY PRACTICE FEES every YEAR, says New UPND LAW: EFF REJECTS TEACHING PROFESSION BILL NO. 14 OF 2025.”

The claim is false. The draft Teaching Professions Bill 2025 does not provide for the arrest of unemployed teachers for failing to pay the licence fee. Only teachers who are actively engaged in teaching without a valid practising certificate are subject to penalties.

The Facebook post alleges that under Draft Amendment Bill No. 14 of the Laws of Zambia, teachers;  will face arrest if they do not pay the annual teaching license fee. The captioned words “ Ba Teacher Balakakwa”  is a Zambian local term to mean “teachers will be arrested.” The man in the video goes on to explain that teachers both employed and unemployed would face arrest of 5 years for non-payment for yearly licence fees.

The Zambian Parliament is currently debating the Teaching Professions Bill 2025, which seeks to repeal and replace the Teaching Professions Act of 2013. The bill sets out the legal framework for the registration of teachers, the issuance of practising certificates, and the regulation of the teaching profession in Zambia.

A teaching licence is meant to ensure that only qualified and registered teachers are engaged in the education sector. However, confusion has arisen around whether unemployed teachers, who are not actively teaching, are also required to pay the annual practising certificate fee or risk arrest for failing to do so.

The relevant provisions are found in Part III of Draft Bill No. 14 of 2025, titled “Registration of Teachers and Issuance of Practicing Certificate. “Section 9 (1): A person shall not be employed or practice as a teacher unless the person is registered as a teacher in accordance with this act. “This means that the requirement applies only to those actively teaching, not to unemployed teachers. Section 17 (1–3):  “A person shall not practice as a teacher without a valid practising certificate issued to that person by the Council under this Act. (2) A person shall not offer employment to a person as a teacher who does not hold a valid practising certificate issued under this Act.”  (3) Further establishes administrative and disciplinary action for those teaching illegally. Which states that, “A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.”

These clauses require every registered teacher who intends to practice to apply for a practicing certificate and to renew it annually. Again, this is tied to active practice, not unemployment status, and not for simply not paying the license fee. It makes reference to those actively teaching. 

For teachers not teaching, section 2(1) provides that “A teacher who does not intend to practice teaching for a specified period of time shall notify the Council, in writing, of the teacher’s intention. (2) The Council may, where a teacher notifies the Council in accordance with subsection (1), maintain the name of the teacher on the register in a nonpracticing category for the period of time specified by the teacher.” This means that teachers not employed are still officially recognized by the Council and are exempt from paying the practising certificate fee or facing penalties, as long as they notify the Council and are in the non-practising category.

Mzeziti Mwanza contacted the Teaching Council of Zambia for a comment. In response, the Registrar, Ebby Mubanga, clarified that the bill proposes the yearly licence fee will apply only to employed teachers.

The law is designed to regulate the teaching profession and ensure that only qualified, registered, and licensed individuals are engaged in the classroom. Spreading misinformation about the bill risks creating unnecessary fear among teachers and undermines informed debate about important legislation. This can also have serious consequences for both the public and the democratic process. When people are misled, they may form premature opposition or support for a law they do not fully understand, creating confusion and unnecessary tension. This not only undermines meaningful public debate but also pressures lawmakers to respond to misinformation instead of addressing the real issues in the bill. Over time, such distortions weaken trust in Parliament and erode confidence in democratic institutions, as citizens begin to believe laws are being made based on false narratives rather than facts.

The claim circulating on Facebook that unemployed teachers will be arrested for failing to pay the annual teaching licence fee is false.

This fact-check was produced by Mzeziti Mwanza as part of the African Fact-checking Alliance incubation programme. It was produced with peer mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools.

HOAX: This Electoral Commission of Zambia recruitment portal is fake.

The Electoral Commission disowned it 

This link promoting jobs purportedly advertised by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to fill in temporary support roles in preparation of the upcoming National activities in the country is a HOAX.

A viral post circulating on WhatsApp alleges that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is recruiting temporary staff for upcoming national activities. The post directs applicants to apply through a link: nsidostar.github.io/ECZ.Recruitment.portal.zm. 

 Upon clicking the link , it leads to a website with the ECZ logo and interface with color schemes used on the ECZ website. Which reads,” The electoral commission of Zambia(ECZ) is recruiting polling staff, electoral officers, observers to support the upcoming process. Interested applicants are invited to apply, and play a vital role in ensuring credibility and transparency. 

Applicants are asked to indicate whether or not they are Zambian citizens. After submitting their name, individuals are asked to provide key personal information, including their phone numbers, date of birth, level of education, and email addresses. Once all this information is provided, applicants are instead asked to share the link on WhatsApp to apply.

The claim that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is recruiting staff through the link nsidostar.github.io/ECZ.Recruitment.portal.zm is false. The link is not affiliated with ECZ, whose official website is www.elections.org.zm. ECZ does not recruit “observers,” and official recruitment notices are only published on its verified platforms and in national newspapers. The circulating post is a scam designed to mislead and potentially harvest personal information.

Mzeziti Mwanza performed a Whois search to establish whether this application portal is registered by the Electoral Commission. However, the results show it is hosted by GitHub and registered in the United States.

On the contrary, the genuine Electoral Commission website is registered in Zambia. This was verified through a domain search conducted on the 'Zambia WHOIS Service' page of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) website.

When contacted, Patricia Luhanga, the Corporate Affairs Manager at the commission, confirmed that it is a fake online recruitment. The purported jobs are not listed on the careers section of the Electoral Body’s website and this confirms the job advertisement to be a hoax. 

This fact-check was produced as part of the African Fact-checking Alliance incubation program. It was produced with peer-mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact checking initiative, PesaCheck with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools.