Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has appointed former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete to lead the Commonwealth observer in the forthcoming general elections and national referendum in Zambia scheduled for 11 August 2016.
According to a media release, the decision to send observers follows an invitation from the Government of Zambia.
Ms Scotland says conducting the electoral processes in an inclusive, peaceful and credible manner is a demonstration of Zambia’s enduring commitment as a Commonwealth member to the culture of democracy and to nation-building.
“In solidarity with the people of Zambia, the Commonwealth will be present to observe these polls and will continue to work with relevant Zambian institutions towards further strengthening the country’s democracy,” she says.
Ms Scotland says holding peaceful and successful elections is a high responsibility for the people and institutions of all Commonwealth member states.
She says all Zambians including the election management body, political parties and their leaders, the citizenry, civil society, security agencies, the media and voters have a duty and responsibility to ensure a peaceful process and a credible outcome.
The Commonwealth Observer Group will consider the pre-election environment and election preparations.
On election day, the team will observe the voting, vote-counting and results procedures with reference to national legislation and to the international democratic standards to which Zambia has committed itself.
As with all Commonwealth Observer Groups, the mission will function impartially and independently and will conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation.
An advance group of observers was deployed to Zambia on 22 July while the rest of the team is expected to arrive in Lusaka on 4 August.
The Commonwealth Observer Group will consist of 17 eminent persons led by former President Jakaya Kikwete, is supported by a staff team from the Commonwealth Secretariat headed by Mrs Yvonne Apea Mensah.
What is the use of this organisation called commonwealth….??
The credibility has already been damaged by Upnd who were buying voters cards in eastern and now are on the run.
They should have given the honour to Magufuli.
Wonderful former President! He peacefullyhanded over power after his term came to and end. You are now a great stateman sir, enjoy reself!
Shame that this “Wonderful former President” has presided over most murderous repression of innocent people in Zanzibar!!!
Watch out for American politics, the blessed in nation who says in God they trust. Them no pangas, no violence but war of words in an educated language. Now African savages, we do not know.
Yes, especially the savage of our time in Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu who speaks like a spitting viper. He’ s already a self acclaimed winner of the 11th August Zambian elections even when the elections are not yet held. Africa I can say is a cursed continent because this is the continent where dunderhead, selfish presidents with a lot of rhetoric arise and cause misery and millions deaths to their innocent people because of the lust to cling to power even when they have got no vision. You cannot match with the civilized world like the USA presidents. There, they debate issues not threats the way Edgar Lungu is doing it Zambia. If there will be any civil strife in this country after 11th August, it will be caused by President Kachasu Edgar Chagwa Lungu going by his threats coupled with…
with rhetoric language. Mwanya mwe bena Zambia, mukamusale uyu pompwe, then know that it will be more like nailing yourselves to the cross because the next five years under his administration will bring insurmountable misery to you.
“Innocent” is it true that HH afuna kuguliza ziko?
More observers plz come to this once democratic nation frm 1991-2014, but under Lungu he thinks only ECZ is mandated by him will observe these elections, God O Mighty save mother Zambia and our incoming president from Chagwa Lungu’s wrath of declaring himself president before a vote cast
Zambia needs observers to make sure voters have the right to cast their vote in a safe and peaceful manner without any intermediation. ECZ is corrupt and should not be trusted to oversee the elections on their own. Hence we need to welcome the Commonwealth Observer Group to ensure our votes are protected.
Welcome Col. Kikwete, son of the soil.
For the information of one blogger, President Magufuli cannot qualify because he is a sitting president.
The Commonwealth cannot stop rigging because they are only observers. Seondly, they only report on the basis of what ECZ and other observers tell them.
Thirdly, Kikwete has backed-up political murders and oppression in Zanzibar perpetuated by CCM led by Karume
Zambia needs international intervention at this time, to help it transition into a credible peaceful and corrupt free country. At the moment, state machinery and the court process was abused to pillage us, and they want to get away with such impunity. They have damaged our livelihoods and stolen shamefully.
Zambia needs the ICC and AU to intervene, after holding the bandits accountable for their banditry, that’s when there can be free a fair elections. A bandit is just as the same as a killer. Local UNDP Staff were even induced into the pillaging conspiracy and are now stuck with their crimes and plot to kill me. Where is credibility in such a country. No where.
The electoral process has already been frustrated by persecutions, harassment suit, pillaging, sexual violence and…