THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said it would only disqualify a candidate after thorough investigations have taken place.
ECZ public relations manager Chris Akufuna said during the week that even if the organisation had powers to disqualify a candidate, it was not as easy as it sounded.
He explained that the organisation needed to have adequate facts on the ground before it could disqualify a candidate.
“You cannot just disqualify a candidate based on mere accusations because there are a lot of things going on, there are issues of other political parties using another political party’s regalia so you can’t surely disqualify a candidate based on that,” he said.
Mr Akufuna stated that people should understand that it was not just a matter of either delaying or rushing into disqualifying a candidate but that there were serious implications that came with disqualifying a candidate if matters weren’t handled carefully.
The clarification follows complaints that have been raised by some candidates contesting in this year’s general elections that the rise in political violence that the country was experiencing was due to ECZ’s delay in implementing its powers of disqualifying candidates perpetrating violence.
So what is the point of the Electoral Code of Conduct? ECZ should be enforcing the electoral laws instead of encouraging the culprits to continue breaking the law by saying “its not that easy to disqualify a candidate”. What is ECZ doing to stop violence and the rigging of these elections? ECZ so far is failing to show leadership and using its powers to deliver a free, fair and credible elections in Zambia. ECZ appears helpless and compromised by the Executive arm of govt. There is nothing that ECZ has done so far to Inspire and pacify the voters that their votes will not be stolen. ECZ is not acting independently and is not in charge of these elections. They are acting under the direction of the appointing authority. We hear rumours that the Voters Roll is being doctored outside ECZ…
How ABOUT CANDIDATES WHO HAVEN’T PAID TAXES ON THEIR DECLARED WEALTH??????????
ECZ YOU HAVE THE SUPREME AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE THIEVES DO NOT GET INTO POWER!!!!!!!!!!
Vote WISELY 11/8/2016!! Vote ZAMBIA FORWARD!! Vote UPND!!
#chagwamustfall!! #PamaFikuyabebele!!!
I thank you!!!
Angry Voter -I think you need 2 note the point Me Ak has projected. ECZ needs 2 operate at a court level in order to reach a decision 2 disqualify candidates. With the volatility of our cadres to abuse by those with financial muscles a group can be hired wearing pf regalia and if ECZ can base their decision based the evidence of the regalia it will b unjust coz it’s not easy to prove that the pepetrators of lets say violence were pf. Most candidates can be disqualified if and when that route is taken. Investigations may prove a different story!
Bown Envelope we know u have been paid for your services. The point is that ECZ is not restraining the culprits. Its actually saying ECZ its helpless and its difficult for them to prove and in the process encoruraging the culprits to continue transgressing. ECZ should stamp its authority and warn the culprits that they will be disqualified if they continue with their wayward behaviour. That is taking responsibilty.That is the point. ECZ has the powers to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct in terms of their Act. So far they have failed to do so and ECZ appears to be on Executive Authority leash. They are dependent and under the direction of State House. Period.
Iwe tea car ra do you think this Chakolwa in state house from the shambles of Chawama bars can allow you to disqualify him.
Lutuku
Your hate is what makes hh unpopular if you do not know
Mmembes hate just built Lungu
Sikote hate just built Lungu
Kilomter hate just bult Lungu
Chidumbos hate just built Lungu.
Maroads hate just built Lungu
PLEASE LEARN THESE SIMPLE FACTS. MAY BE U CAN GAIN A BIT MORE VOTES FROM NEGA NEGA
Even if they have questionable PhDs like GBM ?
Ba Chris, this “clarification” is saying nothing really…. If I were you I would just keep quiet!
Vote GBM/HH.
Lutuku I am voting for ECL and my relatives are pf thru & thru so ni ba Edgar chabe. You can insult until the end of time but it won’t help your candidate. I’m voting for PF for the first time