ECZ CRITICIZED OVER LACK OF SPONSORSHIP FOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO WITNESS PRINTING OF BALLOT PAPERS IN DUBAI
By Joseph Kaputula & Justina Matandiko
Tonse Alliance Presidential Spokesperson George Chisanga says the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ-‘s decision not to sponsor political parties to observe the printing of ballot papers in Dubai will disadvantage parties with limited resources and reduce the number of observers.
The ECZ yesterday announced that participating political parties will be required to sponsor themselves to observe the printing of ballot papers in Dubai ahead of the August 13 elections.
Reacting to the development in an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Chisanga said that while the Tonse Alliance has the capacity to sponsor its observers, a good number of political parties will not manage
Mr. Chisanga said the ECZ should have learnt from 2021, when a similar decision was made and only a few political parties monitored the printing process, a situation he says erodes the essence of transparency.
Meanwhile, veteran politician Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika has accused the ECZ of undermining confidence in the electoral process following its decision.
Mr. Lewanika has told Phoenix News that the move raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness, arguing that other political parties may be disadvantaged due to lack of financial resources to send representatives.
He said the commission’s position further fuels perceptions that the electoral playing field is not levelled, adding that an election management body should inspire confidence among all stakeholders rather than create barriers to participation.
PHOENIX NEWS
So the ECZ has limitless resources? What kind of thinking is this?
Well said…Recent statements by Opposition leaders seem to suggest Government is some kind of AMT without a balance where citizens and insitutions should have limitless access.
Such messaging is irreaponisible and doubt if those that make such statements even pay taxes that others seem to painfully suffer. Aka free loaders…
These are the useless snakes HH wants to remove from public service
They always think of freebies. That id why they steal when in government
Akashambatwa was the person behind forming of MMD with late Baldwin Nkumbula, thereby ushering multiparty politics back in Zambia.
He was minister under Chiluba and they recklessly chewed our resources. He has gone through so many appointments including ZR. His family received free PhD education from Kaunda as appeasement from the barotse agreement with their ancestors.
He basically had the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth throughout his life till now when government eyes have finally turned to poor Zambians.
While we respect his contributions to this nation, we expect him to also respect the Renaissance Zambia is undergoing and accept the changes this brings, one of which is eliminating the free ticket mentality like his.
As for my fellow Bemba Chisanga, I am not surprised. Bembas, my people like shortcuts to milk and honey. Unfortunately, they have to learn to be responsible and start working hard
I hard the fortune to learn the culture of hard work from Tongas after spending a larger part of my youth at Hillcrest and visiting villages in almost the whole of southern province.
Of course the stereotypes about Bembas I had to endure but I benefitted greatly when they accepted me after a long period of induction.
So sorry guys the table is turned. Just eat humble pie.