ECZ urges chiefs not to influence their subjects in the coming presidential elections

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has called on the traditional leaders not to influence their subject on whom to vote for the January 20, 2015 presidential by-elections.

ECZ public relations manager Chris Akufuna said chiefs should instead encourage their subjects to turn up in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidate.

Mr. Akufuna said the traditional leaders should equip themselves with full details concerning the by-elections which they should pass on to their communities.

He said chiefs, just like other Zambians, should observe and be guided by the electoral code of conduct in order to attain peaceful, free and fair elections.

Mr. Akufuna said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Meanwhile, Mr. Akufuna has reiterated that the commission will not conduct a voter registration card excise.

He however said ECZ will conduct a voters’ card replacement exercise from December 28, 2014 to January 3, 2015.

Mr. Akufuna added that the commission will open up four centres in constituencies to allow for replacement of lost voters’ registration cards.

And Mr. Akufuna said only those who participated in the 2011 general election would be allowed to vote next year as their details had been kept in the ECZ registers.

He said those who had relocated to other areas would be required to travel and vote from the polling stations they used in the 2011 general elections.