Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Commissioner, McDonald Chipenzi has urged election officers to uphold professionalism and impartiality as they prepare to manage the nominations process ahead of the 2026 general election.
Speaking during the official opening of the fifth cohort of the District Election Staff Training Workshop on Nominations for Southern and Muchinga Provinces, Mr Chipenzi described the nominations stage as one of the most sensitive and foundational phases of any election.
Mr Chipenzi said the training aims to equip officers with the knowledge and practical understanding required to manage nominations, with strict adherence to the law, Commission regulations, and established guidelines.
“Achieving a clear and uniform understanding across all districts is essential to ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency in the conduct of nominations nationwide,” he said.
He cautioned that the nomination process often attracts significant public, political, and media attention.
“Any misinterpretation of procedures or inconsistency in their application can undermine public confidence in the Commission, therefore your professionalism, impartiality, and strict adherence to the law must guide every action you take,” he added.
ECZ Commissioner urged officers to pay particular attention to candidate qualifications and disqualifications, noting that these areas are often challenged and can lead to disputes if not handled with precision.
He also stressed the need for accuracy in nomination procedures and documentation, warning that errors at this stage can have far-reaching legal implications.
He added that the Commission expects all election officials to adhere to the law without fear or favour, ensuring that the nomination environment remains peaceful, orderly and compliant with electoral regulations.
“As electoral officers, you carry the responsibility of safeguarding the integrity of this process because the public looks to you not only for efficiency but also for fairness and transparency.
“You are the face of the Commission at the local level, and the public’s trust in the electoral process depends on your conduct to a certain extent,” Mr Chipenzi said.
Meanwhile, addressing finance officers, Mr Chipenzi directed them to exercise strict accountability and due diligence in managing the 2.2-billion-kwacha budget allocated for the 2026 General Election, warning that these are public money and no corruption, mismanagement will be tolerated.
He indicated that officers are the Commission’s front line in financial management and must ensure funds are properly retired and accounted for.
“So, we want to see due diligence in the way we manage these 2.2 billion budgets that the government has given,” he added.
He stressed that delays in releasing funds during critical election periods like nominations and polling day could disrupt the entire electoral process.
