Friday, April 19, 2024

FODEP concerned about alleged registrations of foreign nationals as voters

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FODEP has express concern at the alleged registration of thousands of foreign nationals as voters by the ECZ as reported by the Post Newspapers recently.

In a statement Acting Executive Director Chinfwembe Mweenge said if the allegations if left unchecked may be a source of acrimony in the electoral process.

Me Mweenge called on the relevant authorities to quickly investigate the matter to its logical conclusion and inform the nation on the outcome.

“As the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) we are greatly concerned with the alleged report that thousands of foreign nationals have registered as voters in the 2016 general elections as reported in The Post news paper tabloid no 7150 dated 16th May 2016.

“We do think that if these allegations are left unchecked they have potential to create acrimony in the electoral process and render acceptance of the electoral outcome for the 11th August 2016 elections into serious question.

“It is therefore, our considered view that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is responsible for issuing National Registration Cards should thoroughly investigate this matter to its logical conclusion and expeditiously inform the nation as to whether these allegations are founded or not,” he said.

He added “We equally, call upon investigative wings such as the Zambia Police Service and the Anti Corruption Commission to work in liaison with the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish the truth of the matter in order to build the confidence of all stakeholders in the electoral process and in the consequent electoral outcome.”

He also said ECZ should allow investigative wings to get to the bottom of the allegations as opposed to being dismissive.

“We are of the view that the Electoral Commission of Zambia should give chance to investigative wings to get to the bottom of this matter rather than being dismissive about it, given that the matter is a constitutional point of public importance as it relates to the sanctity of Article no 45 clause 2 (a), (b) and (c) of the amended Zambian Constitution No 2 of 2016 which dictate that elections shall be free and fair, transparent and free from corruption .Equally, that only Zambian Nationals shall be entitled to registration as voters according to Article No 46 of the amended Zambian Constitution no 2 of 2016,” he said.

7 COMMENTS

  1. “It is therefore, our considered view that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is responsible for issuing National Registration Cards” How?? Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issuing NRCs Be serious u guys with what u write.

  2. It’s not an allegation when there is evidence. ECZ must come clean or the elections will be disputed. There is something serious wrong here. I would even ask ECZ to add the requirement that everyone come with their birth certificate or proof of immigration on voting day. Opposition ensure you have your men placed at the centres to check on these things

  3. Please I don’t understand Wynter Kabimba is on record that when he was SG for PF in opposition he ‘personally’ smuggled in foreigners registered them as voters. He is the source of Masebo’s rantings in parliament his sidekick. He gave her the information and data he gave the post the reg cards etc that he used when he was SG….so please investigate him to tell the nation what he knows after all he cannot turn up to the police station like he did at the anti-corruption when he went with cadres to stop the ACC from arresting him….so stop blaming innocent people..

  4. So now opposition leaders are turning into whistleblowers? To what extent were they complicit in these acts to the extent of being liable? Do we forgive them only because they have become rats? The electorate must now be very serious about these characters. Thank the whistleblowing but banish the whistleblower who was until his defection/ejection a participant and beneficiary of the very same acts s/he is now disclosing. To be fair party defections are now a nauseating exercise.

  5. It was also reported that UPND registered under age in southern province, What are you going to do about it?

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