The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima has described as a myth allegations that the ECZ had magic pens at the polling stations whose ink purportedly fades after a voter has marked the ballot paper or the mark shifts from one candidate’s slot to another.
She said such a thing does not happen and is merely a myth.
Justice Mambilima has since appealed for calm, patience and peace among stakeholders in particular and Zambians in general as election results pour into the elections results centre.
And Justice Mambilima has dismissed allegations of pre-marked ballot papers saying the Commission had not come across such papers.
“All ballot papers in this election were from the Electoral Commission of Zambia and all had serial numbers with complete audit trial.
She however explained that the Commission has established that its posters that exemplify what the ballot paper will look like are the ones being confused for actual ballot papers.
Meanwhile ECZ has regretted violent disturbances that took place at Nakatindi polling station in Kanyama and Matero constituencies in Lusaka.
ECZ Chairperson, Irene Mambilima said as a result of the disturbances, the Nakatindi polling station and all its polling materials were completely destroyed buy irate people in the area.
ZANIS reports that Justice Mambilima said during a briefing at the election results centre at Mulungushi International Conference Centre this afternoon that the disturbances were caused mainly by the late opening of the polling station.
She said District Electoral Officers went against the ECZ’s instruction that all poll staff should spend nights at their respective polling stations for timely opening.
She further said the concerned poll staff, for reasons best known to themselves only reported on the morning of the election day thereby delaying the opening of the polling station.
“Also, there was failure by these officers to check their inventory for the status resulting in time being wasted looking for shortfalls. The Commission on its part ensured that all the materials were timely delivered to the various districts,” she explained.
Justice Mambilima said it was therefore disappointing and inexcusable that the concerned officers exhibited high levels of lack of seriousness and irresponsibility to an important national event such as an election.
She said the Commission will require explanations from those concerned.
And Justice Mambilima has disclosed that voting in three polling stations in Lukulu West constituency, which were delayed, started at 06:00 hours this morning and was to close at 18:00 hours this evening.
She said the delay to conduct elections in the three polling stations was caused by overzealous political party cadres that prevented the Zambia Air Force helicopter from airlifting election materials to the polling stations.
“As a result land transport had to be used to transport the materials at night with a lot of difficulties,” she said.
ZANIS
iwe ci mambilima be ready to explain well these irregularaties. you will pay the cost.
We want results. Ufontini in a technological era sure.
OK
Is it close to 48 hours promised to release the results by honorable Mambilima yet?
Isn’t it rather late to explain about those pens. Should have advised the electorate as soon as the concerns became known by your office. Right now we want to know the results.
Such ineptitude by ECZ is inexcusable. Now, can you please speed up the process of releasing the results.
I keep wondering why we can’t get things done in our country. Poll staff showing up late for work, delays here and there on election day – this reveals lack of duty consciousness and a failed bureaucratic system. This time, I hope Zambians voted for pragmatic leaders who are ready and willing to change this retrogressive mindset.
Sata has won…read between the lines…Mambilima is try excuse herself and trying to show like she has done her duty….We want results..its too late mama…Espinoge case…Rigging elections is a serious crime…You, Kalale, VJ and the whole team…ni jele bebele…Mwaya mukwikata akashimbi! This time is for PF!
Wenye iwe
WE SHALL SEE. WE ARE WAITING AND WATCHING
#7 – Nine Chale I think they have done exactly that in voting for a pragmatic leader and really its upon the ECZ’s consious to avail the need of the masses. We need a Zambia thats functional from yesterday. We failed to print ballot papers in the country and now we cant count results of less than 4m voters
Bushe bamayo aba, balishiba inchito yabo?
IWE CHIMAMBILIMA,WHT ARE U SAYING PEOPLE WERE FOUND WITH BALLOT PAPER READY HANDED AND ARE NOW IN POLICE CUSTODY..SO WHAT ARE U TELLING US U BIT.CH OF MMD.
Spiderman i fully second u on dis matter…….tell them .
The nonsense aside why is the counting so slow this time? Previously we should have had 80 perccent of votes counted by now. this is 2 days later and Mambilima has counted only 33! This is incompetence. India and China with 1 billion people each count much faster
Ka Mambalima is very incompetent, I think these people are taking Zambian for granted in the name of peace and christian nation. She needs to resign on moral grounds asap. Why should it take 3 days to count 3 million votes?
She is such a failure.She knows the truth.She is among the suppressors.This time we have a new error.
We do not need lazy and encompitent baffoons
Mambilima, ask your presiding officer at Rain Africa polling station in L/stone what happened. I tried and the rumour proved to be true and the ballot paper was destroyed in the presence of all the monitors. so if you ask yourself how many people have been duped? lot of them. Just accept your failures.
No 17 you got to be kidding.Are you serious.