The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has called on political parties to ensure that their agents and observers are positioned at all the polling stations across the country tomorrow to witness the counting of ballots after voting.
ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga said the political party agents and other representatives will witness the counting of ballot papers which she said will be done in a transparent manner.
Ms. Luhanga said the political party agents will be able to communicate to their party members the results from each polling station.
She was speaking on Hot FM’s Red Hot breakfast show this morning. Ms. Luhanga said it is very important for all political players to be present so that there are no allegations leveled against the commission about rigging any elections results.
“What we have been emphasizing this year is that the result is at the polling station. When the results are approved and recorded, that is done at the polling station and transmitted to the totaling centres at constituency as well as presidential at the national level,” she explained.
She reiterated that the ECZ has urged all political parties to have four agents accredited by the commission. She added that ballot counting will commence immediately voting ends and all observers and agents will be present.
Ms. Luhanga further said the commission will ensure timely and efficient announcement of election results. She has since called on all Zambians to desist from engaging into violence as the country votes tomorrow.
According to the ECZ, Zambia has a total of 7,023.499 registered voters and a total of 12,152 polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Germany Ambassador to Zambia has welcomed the deployment of the defence force security personnel to help keep law, order and peace as the country goes to the polls this week on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Commenting on the recent deployment of defence forces by President Edgar Lungu to conduct patrols, Ambassador Anne Wagner-Mitchell said the defence security forces have an important role to play before, during voting and after the announcement of election results.
Dr. Wagner-Mitchell said during a joint press brief in Lusaka today that security forces have an obligation of safe guarding the rights and privileges of the citizenry as enshrined in the constitution.
She reiterated that the presence of the defence security is vital especially after the announcement of the August 12, general elections.
“The security forces will have an important role to play here, they have to safe guard rights and the privileges of everyone as enshrined in the constitution. Their role will be important now and after the announcement of the results,” she said.
Dr. Wagner-Mitchell stated that the desire of the European Union is for elections to be held in a safe and conducive environment.
She said Zambians should be allowed to express their will freely despite one’s political affiliation.
“We want a safe and conducive environment in which every Zambian irrespective of political affiliation are able to express their will on the election day,” she said.
Following reports of pockets of violence reported in selected parts of the country, President Edgar Lungu deployed the military with the view to curb escalating political violence.
And speaking at the same event, European Union Ambassador to Zambia, Jacek Jankowski said the union is in favour of a level playing field for all political parties.
Ambassador Jankowski said safe elections are cardinal in promoting peace in the country.
He explained that a detailed report will be produced by the EU on the 2021 general elections and will be submitted to the Zambian government.
Ambassador Jankowski revealed that the report will contain recommendations which government will be at liberty to implement or not for future elections.
“The mandate of the EU observer mission does not mean that they will assess the elections, at the end they will provide a report with recommendations and this will be up to the Zambian authorities to implement the recommendations or not,” he said.
In a related development, the EU has urged political parties to ensure that the election process is completed in a safe and peaceful environment where the rights and freedoms of all citizens are fully respected.
According to a statement issued to the media after the briefing, the EU urged stakeholders taking part in this week’s general elections to play their role by ensuring that elections are held in a peaceful manner.
I see some sense in this.
PF may not like this idea. They want the counting to be done mid air – kikikiki!!!!
Disaster!!!
The ECZ should do the right thing for the people of Zambia not otherwise. We are yet to implementation of pronouncements.
The big turn around of ECZ will certainly make the elections free and fair. They should have been transparent all along from the beginning.
Count them in the air, in the sea, on the land hh will lose again and he knows it…please we will teach you a lesson…plus many mps will tumble especially those we know have done nothing since becoming mp, mazabuka, pemba, choma…petauke…munali…whatch this space…
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT. Tomorrow is a big day. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT. WISHING EVERY POLITICAL PARTs GOOD LUCKY AND Whoever LOSERS JUST Accept the results Period.
Saying one thing and implementing what they have said is key. What the ECZ does tomorrow is what will be judged. I am hopeful that the ECZ will be professional. We must all pray for peace and tranquility as one people, one Zambia one nation.
This is a very fair act to all players. It will give improved confidence in the plebiscite to an extent. Good move ECZ.
Good idea by ECZ to count votes at polling station. It will also make results traceable and out quickly.
Both PF and UPND – PROTECT YOUR VOTE
PROTECT YOUR VOTE
PROTECT YOUR VOTE
PROTECT YOUR VOTE
Only way to ensure a win.
Good. we don’t want any stupid excuse from UPND. Remember in last elections, they were indicating wrong figures on stolen G7 form i n order to cry that elections had been rigged. This time, kulibe.
Now you are talking a lot of sense ECZ. This is the way to go. Some staunch PF cadre has been ‘loudly’ silent on this social media platform. Busy scheming to rig I guess?
Why is Lubinda working, and paid. These ministers tabomfwa.
ECZ THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING,JUSTICE AND FAIRPLAY
ZAMBIANS ARE DESPERATE FOR A BETTER FUTURE .
ZAMBIANS DESERVE A BETTER FUTURE.
OUT WITH THE CORRUPT ENTERPRISE OF A GOVERNMENT
A GOVERNMENT OF THIEVES,FOR THIEVES,BY THIEVES
DO THE RIGHT THING
And we don’t want delay in announcing the results. Immediately counting is over at the polling station let them announce so that the public can keep tabs.
People! Do not be cheated by these ECZ blood thirst fools. They know what they have done in collusion with ECZ and it is not good for Zambia. They want to use the military to rig elections. ECZ must understand that their plan will not work this time around. The lady in the picture is a dirty PF agent. Lungu is speaking so confidently but disappointment awaits him and PF.
Finally
ECZ -Stand by Zambia and DO THE RIGH THING.
We pray for a peaceful election. One Zambia One Nation.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a gotcha moment for the PF….job well done ECZ.
I’m glad that you kept this plan on the DL…this year’s election will be fair….
Guys this is the end of the PF. I’m celebrating almost.
For the first time I have seen and read comments that are coming from true Zambians. No insults, no fingerpointing. Let us all come and support the winner. This is great!
Which cretin is this one that is hallucinating? Even your Arse knows Lungu is going; that’s why you’re dropping with faeces in your pants!
Mr Patricia Luanda, this foolish PF Lesbian cadre that is deeply involved in manipulating the results.
Mr Luhanga, we know you, and we won’t let you steal our vote. We will extend that woundvand out salt to make sure you don’t ever do those stupid things ever again.
The losers will have no excuse.The process is very transparent.
Chilyata you should learn to shut your backside you imbecile. You do not need to insult this lady has she has really done nothing wrong to deserve those insults coming from your syphillitic mouth .Is this the vocabulary you are going to use when you get in office. Even if HH comes to power he won’t do anything apart from enriching his already fat pocket.
In some provinces observers of other parties are being chased from polling station…where is security
Martin and Dank I am glad to let you know that finally I can laugh and it’s your turn to cry.