Political parties in Zambia have been called upon to trust and have confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as a body mandated to handle and manage elections.
ECZ Vice-Chairperson Emily Sikazwe has observed that the tendency by political parties to raise suspicions on the electoral process makes the commission’s work difficult.
Dr. Sikazwe made the remarks yesterday at Al Ghurair Publishing and Printing Company in Dubai when the firm showed stakeholders how each box meant for a constituency will be packaged together with its contents.
The box, according to the company, will each contain a booklet of ballot papers for presidential, parliamentary, council chairperson, local government candidates, results announcing form known as GEN 20, braille jacket, voter list, voter register, and posters in different languages depending on the area.
She warned that the commission will not take kindly to any political parties that photocopy the GEN 20 form and write fake results and later confront the ECZ staff that the results they had, were different from theirs.
The ECZ Vice-Chairperson cited a 2016 incident where some political parties would photocopy the same form and put false results, a situation she said caused confusion.
Dr. Sikazwe stated that the commission has since added a security feature of an ECZ hologram on each GEN 20 form saying these will only be given to monitors and observers after results are declared and signed by the presiding officer at each polling station.
She further informed the stakeholders that the packaging of boxes containing electoral materials is always sealed when transported from the company but is opened and has the seal broken in Lusaka for verification purposes before reaching districts.
Dr. Sikazwe said it was very important that political parties explain to their officials at district and ward levels all procedures involved when it comes to securing voting materials.
“We have experiences where cadres hijack our tracks carrying materials. Our staff are harassed in all manner and eventually are forced to unseal the boxes,” she said.
She has since called on the political parties to engage ECZ in continuous dialogue so that the commission works in the best way it can.
The company, currently printing the ballot papers, says all the 12,152 polling stations will each have a box packaged and may vary depending on the size.
So you are publicising how to rig with a cheap threat. Our expectations are that you announce that the system is secure from tampering and photocopying due to unclassified security features. What’s the point of issuing a statement based on goodwill? You know that these individuals will not stop at anything to cheat.
Red Flag..
WHERE IS KAZIE ZULE. I DON’T SEE HIS COMMENT. LETS HOPE IS NOT ARRESTED FOR FAKING THE NAME?
The credibility of ECZ among Zambians is zero.
How come till date we do not know the results of Lundazi in the 2016 elections? Those allegations were never delt with and here we, Threats are being issued against photocopying the Gen. 12.
Technology has advanced madam. All the agents need to do is take a snapshot of the certified Gen 12 for each polling station. Later compile the totals for the Constituency. The totals number of votes cast MUST not be MORE than the total number of registered voters. If ECZ agrees to this then there is no need of court petitions.
ECZ please handle these elections with care. Tension is high in the country
Mwaliteta was charged with aggravated robbery by former president Kaizar Zulu over GEN20.
This Election Season the Security of the Vote is top Priority. In 2016 the Elections were rigged becoz ECZ didn’t provide Gen12 forms to many Polling Stations in LP and CBP. The Ballots Boxes were tampered with and HH’s Ballots were buried in Kalulushi Cemetery. In all LP Constituencies votes cast exceeded Number of Registered Voters in each Constituency. Lets hope the Chavulas and KZ of this World will be tamed this time around. This year with alert Voters and Election Agents PF Election Riggers will be caught and harmed. Those who will try to sneak in Premarked Ballot Papers will be living dangerously. The writing is on the wall.
“…will only be given to monitors and observers after results are declared and signed by the presiding officer at each polling station.”
“…boxes containing electoral materials is always sealed when transported from the company but is opened and has the seal broken in Lusaka for verification purposes before reaching districts…”
Whats to say ECZ won’t temper with the results before announcing?
Our exams were always sealed and opened in the exam room by one of the students in front of everyone. Receiving ballots after they have been opened ECZ is suspect.
The only Political Party capable of Rigging the Elections by manipulating GEN 20 is PF. That is how PF rigged the 2016 Elections . ECZ didn’t provide Gen12 Forms in all LP Polling Stations and thats why votes cast in all LP Constituencies exceeded the Number of Registered Voters in each Constituency. ECZ and PF connived in 2016. Unless the Vote is protected History is likely to repeat itself.
We pray for a free n transparent election.No abracadabra.