THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has developed guidelines which will encourage political parties and other stakeholders to use appropriate campaign strategies such as mobile public address system, distribution of flyers and other political party materials with minimal or no contact with a crowd during campaigns.
And the Commission has maintained that it will not reopen the voter registration exercise which came to an end on December 20, last year.
In a media statement addressing various concerns by stakeholders, ECZ Corporate Affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said once campaigns are authorised, all stakeholders must adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.
She said on polling day, the Commission will adhere to the required public health guidelines such as sanitising, wearing of face masks and physical distancing as the electorate cast their votes.
And on the restrictions on the number of international observers accredited to observe the 2021 general election, Ms Luhanga said interested International observers should follow the application procedure which is channelled
through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for onward recommendation for accreditation to the Commission.
“On the other hand Public Health Regulations and in this regard COVID-19 guidelines are a preserve of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the Commission will be guided by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health respectively on how to proceed with accreditation of international observers.
The Commission is aware of the risk associated with international travel in the spread of COVID-19 and the concerns raised by stakeholders are valid and the relevant institutions working with the Commission would need to ensure that measures are put in place should the need arise for accrediting international observers,” she said.
She however said international agencies that have presence in the country and are interested in observing the elections can utilise local staff in the event that travel restrictions are imposed.
Ms Luhanga further said the Commission will this time around not conduct an audit of the register given that there is a new register of voters which will address most of the concerns that stakeholders may have.
She said stakeholders wishing to conduct an independent audit of the register should take advantage of the verification of voter details once the Commission opens up the verification and physical inspection of the Voters Register to the public.
Meanwhile, the Commission will not reopen the voter registration exercise which came to an end on 20th December 2020.
“The registration exercise ran for a period of 38 days inclusive of a four-day extension. In this period, the Commission registered a provisional total number of 7,020,749 voters, representing a record 83% of the projected number of eligible voters.
The Commission is committed to continuously engage all stakeholders including political parties, Civil Society and Faith-based Organisations among others as we approach the 2021 General Elections,” Ms Luhanga said.
She said the Commission will further endeavour to engage all stakeholder prior to main activities such as inspection of the Provisional Voters Register, Nominations and the General Elections among others.
