Akufuna
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dispelled fears of vote rigging in the August general elections, and pledged to uphold high levels of transparency as has been the case in past elections.
ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna said the Commission had demonstrated its commitment to transparency and accountability in the election process through consultative processes with all stakeholders.
Mr Akufuna said in an interview yesterday that the ECZ had the mandate of presenting to the people of Zambia, credible elections.
He assured the public not to worry or panic about the elections being rigged, adding that the electoral regulator had demonstrated what it was capable of doing in times of elections.
“The same way we have committed ourselves in the past is the same way we are committed now as we go forward.
“We will be with stakeholders in various stages of the electoral process and if along the way stakeholders or members of the public come across efforts or conspiracies to manipulate or doctor results, they have the right to blow the whistle,” he said.
He urged people talking about election rigging to present facts and background information on where and when such took place.
Mr Akufuna said the commission had so far not been mentioned in the recent accusations in the media.
“People that give these comments need background of what they are talking about. If people say there was rigging, they will need to point at examples and who was doing it, who was involved, when and where,” he said.
Mr Akufuna said the ECZ had made tremendous improvement in the electoral process since 2006, and that the commitments it made in terms of consultations with stakeholders placed it above all the allegations.
“Elections are a process and ECZ is a mere facilitator. There are a lot of players in the electoral process and if there are malpractices taking place outside the commissions compass in the field, that is a matter that the stakeholders themselves or those that have the evidence have the right to bring to the attention of the public,” he said.
He said the Commission has started the process of preparing for the general elections and would soon be meeting with stakeholders to discuss plans and the programme.
Meanwhile, the ECZ has instituted investigations into individuals reported to be in possession of two voter registration cards.
This followed allegations by members of the public that some people were obtaining more than one voter registration card.
Mr Akufuna said those who would be found wanting would be prosecuted as the act was against the laws of Zambia.
We don’t trust you guys. By the way what made Ireen Mambilima to be appointed as Chief Justice?. Don’t brind us,corruption is accumulating within Ecz, as the Ecz are not independent,you leaders always suport the ruling party as you fear losing employment once the opposition take power, Please let the 2016 election be transparent. The addition of votes at the Centre is where the Rigging takes place, may our good Lord moniter you until we chose the right leader. Whoever does malpractices will perish.
Priscilla Isaac’s already made submissions against Re-runs, supposedly sounding ECZ’s position of NO REAL INTEREST to do re-runs, so EASY WAY OUT IS TO SIMPLY RIG!!!!! So just tell us the truth & STOP LYING!!
what we want from ecz is to give us the total number of registered voters both new and old ones. this cant be a difficult job since records are there.
the other issue is on the borders where it was reported that foreigners were being issued with voters cards. so we want a verification on the centres because we dont want on the material day only to be told that we have so much rejected votes.
also allow access to other observers without interfering.
ECZ in its current form has no capacity to stop rigging. Justice Mambilima as an individual is immensely respected, this rubbed on into the election results. This might not be the case for Esau Chulu. The first thing Chulu should have done was to retire Isaacs. All in all you have so much work to do as ECZ to prove to us that you will be above board.
Plz ECZ implement the following in order to reduce any chance of favoring pf as party in govt; allow independent obersevers at all poll centres, totalling centres where results obtained all constituency centres are announced by private media such as post newspaper,muvi tv, so that what is announced frm constituency centres is what is announced at main tatalling centre at Mulungushi conference centre, independent and party represented at all totalling centres especially at Mulungushi where every result transmitted frm constituency centres is verified by all observers constituency by constituency,avoid transmission of results by electronic but allow fax transmission and allow verification of final results frm all constituencies with all political parties and observers represented, that is…
uPMD, so are you boycotting the elections? If you do not boycott the elections why participate in a process that you don’t trust or agree with, a process that has already lost you the coming elections?
We know uPMD cadres and leaders alike have problems with reasoning despite wanting to rule this country, but please take a moment to think before you open your mouths with wild statements which only expose your ignorance and serve only only to accelerate the now unstoppable depreciation of the uPMD.