National and regional elections have frequently coincided with internet shutdowns or disruption. Shutdowns can occur whilst polls are open, or are sometimes imposed in response to protests that follow election results.

National elections were held on 12 August 2021 in Zambia, and part way through voting, access to WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter was blocked. We hear from young voters in Lusaka about how the social media blocks affected them.

Reporting in Lusaka by Mutuna Chanda
Producer: Beatrice Pickup

(Photo: A woman fills her ballot at a polling station in Lusaka on 12 August, 2021. Credit: Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/Getty Images) Show less