The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) risks becoming a toothless body if no serious amendments are made to the electoral Act.
FODEP Executive director Charity Musamba said there is need for the country to strengthen the authority of ECZ because its strategic role in the electoral process is vital.
Dr Musamba stressed that FODEP shares the sentiments by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) that the electoral act should be revised to ensure a professional and totally autonomous electoral body was instituted.
She also said there is urgent need to revise the appointing procedures of commissioners of the ECZ.
She noted that the commissioners should be appointed by an independent body with independent professionals including various people from sections of society to identify commissioners’ to sit on the ECZ board.
Dr Musamba added that there is need for Government to define and extend the role of the commission by enabling it to prosecute those practicing electoral malpractices.
She said it is clear that the country needs to take decisive measures if the operations of the commission are to be strengthened.
Dr Musamba has since called on all Zambians to demand for an independent autonomous and professional body to handle the electoral process in the country.
[QFM]
It is true let the ECZ be idependent. We have noted that the guys are always afraid to perform their work wthout partiality. They always wait for the president to tell them what to do …which is not good.
Commissioners appointed to ECZ dance to the tune of the appointing authorities,thus the beck and call kind of performance. No management ethics applied.