The Electoral Commission of Zambia has explained that the directive to ban the use of cell phone in the polling stations in the August elections was aimed at ensuring that voters do not undermine the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
ECZ Director Priscilla Isaac “They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive,” Ms. Isaac said.
“Last year in January, we actually had some voters taking photos of their ballot paper after they had marked it, and they were posting it on social media, which is not permissible because that is equivalent to campaigning, and it compromises the secrecy of the ballot,” she said.
Some civil society and opposition groups said the commission directive infringes on voters’ rights, since the constitution guarantees freedom of expression.
They also said the commission failed to consult all stakeholders before issuing the directive.
They accused the electoral body of doing the bidding of President Edgar Lungu and his governing Patriotic Front party.
“That is not true,” Isaac said. “It is just to make sure that we maintain order within the polling stations and not have the secrecy of the vote compromised, and we don’t want disturbances in the polling stations. Can you imagine you are in a polling station and people are voting and everybody is talking on the phone, and tweeting and what have you? It would just become disruptive, and cause discomfort to the voter.”
“People would have to obey,” she said. “Once the electoral commission gives a directive of how procedures are within the polling stations, then people would have to comply. And it is not unique to Zambia. In the Seychelles, they are not even allowed to enter a polling station with your phone.”
Critics of the cellphone directive, Isaac said, would be the first to complain and say they were being “disadvantaged” if ballots being circulated on social media were not being cast for their candidates.
She also compared the issue to the desire not to have election results announced while voting is still underway “because there is a possibility of it influencing those that are voting.
The same can be said about marked ballot papers being posted on social media during the course of voting on election day.”
But some opposition groups have questioned the rationale behind the directive.
Parliament member Request Muntanga, of the main opposition United Party for National Development, called it disturbing.
Local media quoted Muntanga as saying, “I want to see where there is a regulation that says no cellphone [in polling stations]. … The [electoral commission] is already creating uneasiness among players.”
She is so partisan it is not even funny
So how are they going to stop people from taking pictures of their ballot paper as people go in the booth alone? There is no thinking through here. Ok off course talking everywhere may be disruptive yes. But all the same, we know that we have just sealed one loop for rigging planned by ECZ.
This works against PF because they need to make sure that their top PFools do not vote UPND. Normally PF wants proof of loyalty by seeing photos of the marked ballot. Still
#ChagwaMustFall
How did Zambia end up with such people. This woman is so dumb. I really feel for the country, because Zambia should have made so much progress since 1990, but we keep going in circles, and things seem to be getting worse. So unfortunate.
I WONDER WHY THIS IS SO DIFFICULT EVEN FOR PEOPLE LIKE MR MUNTANGA. ITS SIMPLE-MAKE A CALL OR TEXT OUTSIDE THE ECZ OFFICE (POLLING STATION). BUSHE IF I TELL YOU NOT TO MAKE A CALL OR TEXT IN MY OFFICE UNLESS YOU GO OUTSIDE, SHOULD U ASK WHERE IT IS WRITTEN? DONT PRETEND ABOUT LOOKING FOR WHERE IT WRITTEN, COZ EVEN WHEN IT IS WRITTEN U WOULD STILL OPPOSE (G12 CLAUSE FOR EXAMPLE)(CABINET MINISTERS REMAINING AFTER PARLIE DISSOLVES FOR EXAMPLE). JUST COMPLY-ITS VERY SIMPLE. PROBLEM IS YOU ARE TOO PARANOID COZ OF PERPETUAL LOOSING AND U THINK THERE’S RIGGING GOING ON WITH EVERY DIRECTIVE. MWIPENA NO KULUSA GUYS, TAKE IT EASY.
There Is Nothing Wrong Banning Use Of Cell Phones In The Polling Booth, Jus Comply U Rumour Mongers.
I think Priscilla Mulenga has outlived her usefulness.
What bout PVT which relies of cell phones?
PVT continues. Cell phones also u just walk outside and call. What is not allowed is going into the polling booth with your cell phone cos there u can get a pic of your vote and post it on social media which can be taken as a campaign gimmick (knowing the law does not allow campaigns during polling day) or to get paid by a candidate who has offered money for vote and seeks proof that u have voted for him. There is no rigging here.
This plan of preventing PVT should be viewed as one way of rigging by ECZ.All polling agents should be allowed to take a photo of the sheet showing the results after counting.The truth is that we can not trust ECZ with transmission of results.ECZ should not stop polling agents to have phones maybe the voters only.Other wise they will bring kafwa kafwa.
Ba SIDO read. Where does she say no PVT? read and get the message. She is talking about using the phones in polling booths. Do u use PVT from the polling booth booth?
@ Peter
Please read:
“They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive,”
She DID NOT SAY INSIDE THE POLLING BOOTH, SHE SAID INSIDE POLLING STATION.
DO YOU SEE DIFFERENCE?
Big difference Bro. If she was speaking in English, she has undermined electoral process!!!
Personalty i fully agree about boot, but polling station? NO!!!
What is wrong with this directive … umungulu wekaweka bamakaka!!!You guys should learn to be objective…
PVT continues. Cell phones also u just walk outside and call. What is not allowed is going into the polling booth with your cell phone cos there u can get a pic of your vote and post it on social media which can be taken as a campaign gimmick (knowing the law does not allow campaigns during polling day) or to get paid by a candidate who has offered money for vote and seeks proof that u have voted for him. There is no rigging here.
TYpical UPND i.diots, always condemning every thing even progressive ideas, since when did PVT start in poling booths? The reason for banning cell phones in poling stations have been given but you are there giving useless arguments! Nonsense.
1mbecile, where did she specified POOLING BOOTH?
Read and try to understand you 1mbecile.
She said: “…“They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive…”do understand English better than that bunch of Permanent Failures which woted
1MBECILE, some of us do understand English better than that bunch of Permanent Failures which you had in National Assembly.
SINKAMBA WISDOM – upnd LEGAL TEAM must start legal action now. When they [ECZ] ban usage of cellphones it means PVT also is out lawed. Polling agents must be allowed to have cell phones to take photoes of the log sheet for results totaled at the polling station. Also recounting of votes at the station must be allowed. We know for sure that this this instruction is a rigging strategy. because if ECZ says recounting could only take place at the constitutional court. This is unbelievable . In Zambia we have a precedent at hand the case of Mozaka Andy election petition. I have also got a case in court that started in 1999 up to now the case is still going on. We have been seeking for repossession order . But each time we go to court we told the file is not seen. We won the case a long time…
What are you talking about? She says they are not allowing cell phones during voting and not during counting. You are openly showing your stu.pidity here.
@ Orion
Read again word by word. Not what you think she said, but what she said.
“…“They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive…”
How can you take picture from outside polling station?
Comment:ba up & down ni ma complanaint through out. u will neva hav th maturity to see anything good in others
What is “good” in PF?
This is amazing in Zambia now. Everyone just wants to comment even the good is shot down, when are we going to be civilized and analyze issues before we comment. Don’t be partisan, read in between lines.
Unfortunately, you do not read “between the lines” when it comes to DIRECTIVE. What she said, that counts.
She said:
“…They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive…”
What else can you read between lines?
I see that some of us are ignorant about electoral process in Zambia. PVT is after results are announced at the polling station and you can record them and take a picture to tally with others from elsewhere.
What Priscilla is talking about is ban of cell phones inside the room they vote from call a polling station. I am disappointed that even an MP is such ignorant! Inside the polling station is like n an exam room dull minds!
@ Kalanga
“…“They would not be allowed to use cellphones inside the polling stations. But if somebody needs to make a call or send a message, they can do so outside the polling station building, because we found that cellphone use inside tends to be disruptive…”
What she said it counts, not what she meant or what you understand.
Brains of upnd cadres are hard to understand just one simple directive.
They are loosing for the last time and after elections ,they will be no more upnd to talk about.They will join unip and their brothers and sisters in mmd.
I can see, copying Uganda, welcome to the club, next will be switch off social media. The danger of rigging and late starters should not be exposed, they have been following.