The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has revised its voter education materials for effective implementation by voter education facilitators to prepare electorate for the 2016 tripartite election.
This was revealed by Eastern Province Electoral Officer, Macloud Nyirenda, when he officially opened a four days training of District Voter Education trainers’ workshop in Chipata today.
Mr. Nyirenda said it was important that trainers understand the contents of the material, to enable the ECZ effectively train and equip facilitators with the right and correct information.
He noted that the principal of non-partisanship and political neutrality must be upheld at all times that for the commission to be able to deliver civic and voter education prudently.
‘’ The voter education department has revised and developed new voter education materials for voter registration for use by facilitators in the field. It is therefore important that all trainers understand properly the contents of the materials for the electorate to receive the right and correct information,’’ Mr. Nyirenda said.
He also stressed that the commission took the training of all staff engaged to carry out election duties seriously, adding that, it was the reason why the training approach had changed over the last few years.
Mr. Nyirenda said this had been done in order to improve the caliber of officers carrying out various electoral assignments as participants will be subjected to a test to ensure competent trainers impart knowledge.
He further challenged participants with political biases to declare interest in order not to put the commission into compromise, observing that, in the past, the commission had been accused of using political cadres.
The ECZ has planned to commence the countrywide mobile voter registration from 14th September to 11th November, 2015.
