ECZ optimistic of good Voter registration turnout in Luapula

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has expressed optimism that there will be good voter registration turnout in Luapula Province.

ECZ Commissioner David Matongo expressed his optimism when he paid a courtesy call on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali yesterday.

The ECZ Commissioner said he is in the Province to meet the Provincial and District leadership structures in the region because they were well placed to help with the enhancement of public awareness for eligible people to know and follow the Voter Registration timetable.

He disclosed that the Mobile Voter Registration exercise will end on November 11, 2015 which still give would be voters who have lost their voters cards ample time to register.

Mr. Matongo said the registration exercise will continue at all Civic Centers in the Districts even after the mobile exercise comes to an end on November 11.

The ECZ Commissioner explained that the mobile registration of voters will be resumed in March next year to capture would be voters who could have missed the opportunity of registration during this period up to November 11 due to lack of National Registration Cards for various reasons.

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali disclosed that during his spot check at the NRC Office in Mansa last week, he was told by would be voters that they were being asked to pay K50 for a Police Report at the Police Station before they could be issued a Police Report for losing the NRC.

But Mansa Town Clerk Davies Bwalya clarified that would be voters who were coming to the Voter’s Registration Centers with such cases were being issued Police Reports for free which they presented to the NRC Offices for them to be issued with NRCs before coming back to register as Voters.

Luapula Provincial Local Government Officer (PLGO) Musa Zaza disclosed that there is a general outcry in the Province on lack of publicity of the exercise.

Mr. Zaza said Mansa has only recorded 1,851 new registrations as at September 20 which is a minimal number compared to the population.