Government Declares August 13 Election Day a Public Holiday

 

The Government has declared Thursday, August 13, 2026, a public holiday to allow eligible Zambians to participate in the general election.

According to Cabinet Office Circular Number 12 of 2026, issued by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, the declaration is in line with Article 56(2) of the Constitution of Zambia, which provides that the day on which a general election is held must be observed as a public holiday.

Zambians will vote for the President and Vice-President, Members of Parliament, mayors, council chairpersons and councillors.

The circular explains that Zambia holds general elections every five years on the second Thursday of August, in accordance with Article 56(1) and (2) of the Constitution, as amended in 2016.

Cabinet Office has, however, clarified that Friday, August 14, 2026, will not be a public holiday and will remain a normal working day.

Permanent secretaries, heads of government departments, statutory bodies and other public institutions have been directed to urgently communicate the contents of the circular to employees under their supervision.