Independent candidates decry symbol withdrawal by ECZ

Independent candidates in Kasempa District have expressed concerns with the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) to withdraw the candle symbol after nominations saying the move has disrupted their campaigns and resulted in financial losses.

The affected candidates disclosed that they had already printed campaign materials, produced campaign songs and informed voters about their symbols before being directed to select alternative symbols.

This was in an interview with Zambia News and Information Services ZANIS in Kasempa today.

Mpungu Ward independent candidate Parcent Chabinga described the decision as unfair and said candidates should have been informed before nominations.

“We were supposed to be communicated to before doing our nominations and now after doing our nominations we are being told to come and change the symbol. We are not happy,” Mr Chabinga said.

He added the change had rendered campaign materials obsolete and created confusion among voters who had already been mobilised using the candle symbol.

Similarly, Kamusongolwa Ward candidate Ngalwile Mika said the symbol had initially been assigned by ECZ, making the sudden change difficult for candidates and voters alike.

“We have been going through the fields telling people about the same symbol. Now it will be a challenge for us to get back into the community and start telling people about changing the symbol,” she said.

Meanwhile, Blessing Susu Masumba’s representative said the decision had caused frustration among candidates who had already invested significant resources into their campaigns.

“The materials we have printed, the songs we have paid for and the campaigns we have conducted have all been affected. We are very much disappointed because we were guided and given the candle as a symbol during nominations,” Mr Susu added.

The candidates have appealed to ECZ to consider the challenges the decision has created and provide guidance on how affected candidates can effectively communicate the changes to voters.