The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in Mpulungu District in Northern Province has assured the electorate of its commitment to maintaining impartiality and transparency in the upcoming election process.
Electoral Commissioner of Zambia Mpulungu District Electoral Officer, Sarah Masiye, emphasised that the commission is dedicated to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election for all Zambians.
Speaking yesterday after the development of the campaign timetable in Mpulungu district, Ms Masiye assured the public that all electoral activities will be conducted in accordance with the law, without any bias or favoritism towards any political party or independent candidate.
She highlighted the measures that the ECZ has put in place to uphold neutrality, including the deployment of impartial election observers and strict adherence to electoral guidelines stating that the commission has conducted extensive training for staff and officials.
“The Commission has conducted training that covers handling voter registration, ballot counting, and dispute resolution procedures throughout the training of the conflict manage committee and we do understand that you have concerns regarding potential biases and election integrity but we can assure you that the staff has been taught on how to handle the general election,” she said.
Ms Masiye added that the Commission operates independently and is accountable to the Zambian people hence all complaints and concerns will be thoroughly investigated, and any misconduct or irregularities will be dealt with decisively to maintain public confidence.
She revealed that the Electoral Commissioner of Zambia has taken steps to ensure transparency in the electoral process by involving multiple stakeholders who include political parties, civil society organisations who have their presence in the district.
She explained that the presence of the groups aims to monitor the election proceedings and provide independent assessments of the fairness and transparency of the process.
Ms Masiye expressed confidence that such collaborative efforts will reinforce the credibility of the elections and reassured voters that their votes will be protected and counted accurately.
Meanwhile, Mpulungu Police Station Officer in Charge, Hosea Kabwe, also assured candidates that the police will ensure the safety of both property and people during the campaign period.
Mr Kabwe said the ECZ, the Zambia Police, and other stakeholders will continue to educate the public on the importance of participating peacefully and responsibly in the voting procedures.
He added that people need to follow the laid down rules in order to avoid being apprehended.
“Our primary goal is to ensure a safe and fair voting environment for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation and so I would like to reassure the public that law enforcement officers will remain neutral and professional throughout the election period,” Mr Kabwe explained.
And community leaders and election officials have welcomed the police department’s assurances, expressing confidence in their ability to maintain law and order without influence from political pressure.
Iyendwe Ward aspiring candidate, Simon Chifunda, noted that the presence of impartial law enforcement officers is crucial for encouraging voter confidence and participation in the voting procedures.
Mr Chifunda said this time around, elections in Mpulungu district will be different as candidates have the capacity to communicate messages of peace and love to their supporters thereby promoting peaceful elections.
