SISHUWA URGES VOTERS TO USE A CROSS WHEN MARKING BALLOTS
University of Cape Town honorary research associate Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa has advised Zambian voters to use a cross when marking their ballot papers in Thursday’s General Election.
Dr Sishuwa, who is also a Senior Lecturer in History at Stellenbosch University, said the use of a cross is provided for under Zambia’s electoral regulations governing voting procedures at polling stations.
“VOTER EDUCATION: In Zambia, the only valid way to mark a ballot paper when casting one’s vote in a polling station is using a cross,” Dr Sishuwa wrote on X.
He cited Regulation 33(d) of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations of 2016, which requires a voter, after receiving a ballot paper, to enter the voting compartment and secretly indicate their choice by marking the ballot with a cross in the appropriate place.
Dr Sishuwa explained that a cross could take the form of an “X” or “+”, consisting of two lines intersecting each other.
He further warned voters against using ticks or other markings, saying such marks could result in a ballot being rejected.
“A TICK or any mark other than a CROSS on a ballot results in a SPOILT ballot. That is the position of the law ahead of Thursday’s general election,” he wrote.
