The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP)has commended Zambians for turning out in large numbers to vote in Thursday’s general elections and referendum.

AVAP Executive Director Richwell Mulwani said it is pleasing to note that Zambia has recorded a high voter turnout during this year’s elections.

Speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today, Mr Mulwani said that his organization is overwhelmed by the large numbers of Zambians that turned out to cast their votes.

Mr. Mulwani said that this year’s elections have shown how serious the Zambian people are in exercising their rights and choosing leaders of their choice.

He also commended the Zambia Police for working round the clock during the voting period and urged the law enforcement agencies to continue ensuring that peace prevails .

He further asked the general public that in the event of a re run, they should again turn up in numbers and cast their votes until a winner is declared.

Mr. Mulwani appealed to the general public to remain calm and wait for the final results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

And former Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director Mcdonald Chipenzi said that the high turnout of voters is inspiring.

Mr. Chipenzi, now an election expert further said that the high turnout of people shows that Zambians appreciate the democratic dispensation prevailing in the country.

Lusaka Lawyer Mutembo Nchito has Petitioned the Constitutional Court asking them to nullify President Edgar Lungu’s decision to relieve him of his duties as Director of Director of Public Prosecutions.

Nchito has argued that on 7th January, 2016, the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu assented to the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act, Number 2 of 2012.

And that on 23rd February, 2016, Nchito wrote to the President reminding him of the changes in the law which made it legally untenable for the Mutembo Nchito Tribunal to continue sitting and requesting him to comply with the provisions of Article 144 of the Constitution as amended.

Nchito argues that he delivered the said letter to the President’s Special Assistant for Legal who acknowledged receipt.

Nchito has submitted that he never received a reply from the President but instead he was berated in the news media by the President’s Special Assistant for Press Mr. Amos Chanda who announced that ‘State House would be ignoring his letters.

President Lungu has now written to Nchito relieving him of his duties allegedly acting pursuant to Article 144 of the Constitution and basing his decision on a Report that has not been disclosed to Nchito. Nchito is not aware of any proceedings before the Judicial Complaints Commission pursuant to Article 144 of the Constitution nor has he ever appeared or been summoned to appear before the Judicial Complaints Commission.

Mutembo submits that by virtue of the above, his right as Director of Public Prosecutions to be treated fairly and if necessary investigated under Article 144 of the Constitution by the Judicial Complaints Commission has been violated.

He has therefore prayed that it be declared that there has never been an investigation involving him before the Judicial Complaints Commission pursuant to Article 144 of the Constitution and that the President’s action of purporting to relieve the Petitioner of his position as Director of Public Prosecutions pursuant to Article 144 of the Constitution without there having been an inquiry under Article 144 of the Constitution is unconstitutional and therefore illegal, null and void and that all actions taken by the President after purportedly relieving the Petitioner of his duties including any appointment of a replacement Director of Public Prosecutions be declared null and void.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is happy that voter turnout in today’s elections in Zambia have started on a high note.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Cecile Kyenge told Reporters Thursday morning in Lusaka that approximately half of the observed polling stations opened on time, while the rest of them opened with less than one hour of delay.

Ms. Kyenge said polling stations where EU observers were present were peaceful at the time of the opening.

Chief Observer Cecile Kyenge presented some early information about the opening of the polling stations and the beginning of the voting procedure, when she visited Kalingalinga Middle Basic School in Lusaka.

“We are happy to see so many people coming to vote – it shows that Zambians understand the importance of elections, and they value their democratic rights” She said.

Ms. Kyenge added that essential election material was available in the majority of the observed polling stations, and EU observers witnessed long queues of voters waiting patiently to cast their vote.

By the time of their 7:30 AM report, EU observers have not witnessed any serious incident around polling stations.
 
The EU election observers reported that they were able to observe the voting process in the visited polling stations without any undue restriction so far.

Ms Kyenge added, however, that the available information is based on the first reports that the mission received from its observer teams in the early morning, and more information will be coming in later during the day.

The EU EOM has on the ground over 120 observers who are following the voting process in all 10 provinces of Zambia.

Observers report their observations throughout election day to the Core Team in Lusaka, which analyses the received data.
On election day the mission focuses on the voting process, the counting and tabulation, and also the transmission of results.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has admitted that some of the ballot papers in polling stations do not have the official ECZ stamp.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Priscilla Isaac told a media briefing at the results centre at Mulungushi International Conference Centre that the issue of unstamped ballot papers is real.

Ms. Isaacs said the Commission will take it up with the supplier of the ballot papers, Dubai firm Al Ghurair Printing Limited.

She said the Commission has now communicated to all elections officials to use ink pads and markers and write the word official at the back of the ballot papers to validate the papers and minimise the number of rejected ballots.

“Ink that goes with official stamps is not up to standard. It is faint. We will take it up with the supplier and also provide alternative ink pads where possible,” Ms Isaac said.

She added, “The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of the public that it is aware of the fading or invisible official marks. The poll staff have been advised to write official at the back of each ballot paper. The Commission will also provide ink-pads to be used in nearby polling stations.”

And Mrs Isaac says the Commission is disappointed that some unruly voters have ignored the order from the Commission to post their marked ballot papers on social media.

She said the use of cellphones inside polling station is a breach of the Electoral Regulations and that anyone found doing so will be prosecuted.

started posting their marked ballot papers on social media after leaving the polling stations.

“The Commission has observed with dismay photos of marked ballot papers in Polling booths being posted on various online and social media platforms. The Commission would like to caution members of the public to desist from such actions that would compromise the secrecy of the ballot,” she said.

“I would to appeal to all Polling staff and Security Officers in the Polling Stations to stop voters from using mobile phones in the Polling Stations as this is contrary to the Electoral Regulations. The Commission would like to appeal to members of the public that the information circulating on social media that there will be different days of voting for various Political parties is completely false and should be ignored.”

She also dispelled reports that the election calendar has been truncated with the UPND and FDD voting today whilst the PF supporters will vote tomorrow to avoid violent clashes.
Ms Isaac said there is no such ruling from the Constitutional Court adding that the reports are merely falsehoods.

And Meanwhile, Police have revealed that reports indicating that PF Serenje Parliamentary candidate Philip Kosamu has been arrested for alleged vote burying are false.

Police Spokesman Rae Hamoonga said there has been no candidate who has been arrested today.
“The Zambia Police Service would like to dispel rumours going round that Serenje Central Patriotic Front aspiring candidate Phillip Kosamu has been arrested by police for vote buying,” Mr Hamoonga said.

And Ms. Isaac said over 85% of Poll staff and election materials were successfully distributed to the various Polling Stations throughout the country by 24.00hrs.

She said most of Polling Stations had opened on time today.

“The following Polling Stations were expected to open late due to terrain challenges which delayed the transportation of materials in Nalolo district’s Silowana Ward, Yamakumba and Shekela Wards including in Sioma district’s Liandamo Ward and Mbume Ward,” she said.

She said these polling stations were expected to open at 10:30hrs adding that these polling stations which opened late will be compensated for the lost time.

And the Commission has disclosed that voting in Kanyala and Mpungu Ward in Isoka Constituency and Miengwe Ward in Kafulafuta Constituency including Mumbwe Ward in Chipili has been postponed after candidate’s details were transposed between the two wards.
Voting has also been postponed in Keembe Ward in Keembe Constituency after portraits of candidates were transposed on the ballot paper.

Ms Isaac said the Commission communicate a future date for holding these elections.
Ms. Isaac said the Commission is happy that there is a good turnout at the various Polling Stations and that the voting environment is calm and peaceful.

“I would therefore like to encourage those who have not yet voted to go and cast their votes before 18.00hrs when Polling closes” she said.

President Edgar Lungu says he is confident that Zambians will give him a fresh mandate.
And President Lungu has urged Zambians to remain peaceful and allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia to complete the election process peacefully.

President Lungu said Zambians who have voted should patiently wait for the results in a peaceful manner.

Speaking when he cast his vote at Andrew Mwenya Basic School in Chawama, President Lungu said it is important for the nation to remain peaceful during this period.

“I have voted and now I am going home to sleep and wait for the results. You should do the same, vote and go home and eat, drink tea, drink wine and remain peaceful and wait, that is all you can do for nowl,” President Lungu told Reporters.

President Lungu who was accompanied by his wife Esther and daughter Stella and a handful of supporters voted at around 10:00 Hours this morning.

Meanwhile, FDD presidential candidate Edith Nawakwi has described that she is the fiercest candidate in today’s election.

She said all the other contenders have been spreading falsehoods about working with the FDD because they know that she is a fierce contender.

Mrs Nawakwi said he is confident she will scoop the election out rightly in the first round because her message has been well received countrywide.

“You are all aware that our brothers have performed poorly over the last 52 years and it is now time for a woman to lead this nation,” Mrs Nawakwi told Reporters after casting her vote at UNZA Sports Hall at around 09:30 Hours in the company of her husband.