The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is conducting a five-day training for the Voter Education Facilitators (VEFs) in Lavushimanda District of Muchinga Province as part of preparations for the August 13, 2026 General Elections.
Speaking when he officially opened the training, District Electoral Officer, Jonas Mwendakawa, urged the VEFs to abide by the electoral code of conduct as they will be educating the public on the electoral process.
Mr Mwendakawa emphasised the need for voter education facilitators to adhere to the principals and core values of the ECZ by being professional, non partisan and impartial during their engagement with the public.
He stated that voter education is about educating the citizens on the various issues regarding elections.
The District Electoral Officer stated that facilitators play an important role in ensuring that the public is well educated so that they make informed decisions when voting for the leaders of their choice.
“If you are partisan then declare interest now. You are not election agents to be campaigning when you are conducting voter education,” he cautioned.
Mr Mwendakawa has since declared the commission’s readiness to deliver free and fair elections in accordance with the electoral roles.
He further challenged all officers engaged in the electoral activities to uphold the core values of ECZ.
Mr Mwendakawa asked the voter education training participants to pay attention to what they are learning especially the mixed member proportional representation electoral system that has just been put into law.
One of the participants, Rapture Malama, assured that the knowledge being acquired at the training will fully be utilised during voter education activities by abiding to the electoral code of conduct and ECZ core values.
“Once we go in the field, I can assure ECZ that the knowledge learnt here will be well utilised and the commission will be well represented,” he said.
Another participant, Bwalya Kabinga, thanked ECZ for organising the training, which is equipping them with the skills and knowledge so that they can also educate citizens ahead of the polls.
“Thanks to ECZ for this training and equipping us with the knowledge and skills,” he said.
The training which started yesterday, aims at equipping facilitators with knowledge and practical skills needed to educate communities on the electoral process, voting procedures, voter rights and responsibilities.
14 Voter Education Facilitators are attending the training being held at the council chamber.
Is ECZ going to conduct any sensitisation in provices known for tribal voting? We are one Zambia One Nation. Tribal voting is primitive. Especially the perpetual province
Conducting anti tribal voting sensitisation by ECZ is long over due. They know where to start from
Yes indeed, candidates must be voted based on their competency and capacity.