In 202, August 12; Digital rights organization reported by Access Now and internet monitor Net-Blocks, WhatsApp alongside for the other major social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have been blocked in Zambia due to the ongoing general elections being held in the country. The block is presumed for the way to ensure that voters aren’t given the opportunity for spread unverified election rumors during the very much contentious of elections.

Zambian news organization, writes that officials from Zambia’s Ministry of Information and Broadcast Services considered the shutting down internet access in the lead-up to Election Day, citing a desire to stop the spread of election misinformation. A dramatic decrease in Election Day internet traffic from WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook spotted by Net-Blocks seems to confirm that the government moved forward with that plan.

Local Zambian news organization, Lusaka Times also reported that officials of Ministry of Information and Broadcast Services of Zambia initially considered a complete shutdown of internet access nationwide in the weeks leading up to the election day, stating that the idea was to forestall the spread of election misinformation. However, a quite dramatic decrease in internet traffic from WhatsApp and co. on Election Day as observed by Net-Blocks seems to corroborate the fact that the government probably went ahead with the plan.

the keenly contested presidential election between sitting Zambian President Edgar Lungu against the opposition for leader Hakainde Hichilema, has already been marred by serious of viiolence. Although heavy military presence has been deployed everywhere, there’s still doubts about the true intentions of the government in shutting-down the internet.

For naturally, the internet would have been more useful in spreading for the information that is essential for the ensuring voters’ security or safety, but quite unfortunately, voters have had to turn to the use of VPNs to stay abreast of what’s going on  and around them, most especially regarding the ongoing general elections in Zambia.

Efforts so far, to reach out to these social media companies for comments regarding the block has proved futile. However, Techgenyz will keep you updated in the event of any new happenings. Typically information promoting voters’ security and safety would be disseminated on social media and messaging apps for everything from voting wait times to instances of potential voter fraud.