MWAKALOMBE WARNS AGAINST ‘PHONE BAN’ RUMOURS AT POLLING STATIONS
TONSE Pamodzi Alliance Chairperson for Elections and Campaign, Japhen Mwakalombe, has dismissed as unfounded rumours circulating in Mansa and other areas that polling agents will be barred from carrying mobile phones into polling stations during this week’s elections.
Hon. Mwakalombe said there was no law prohibiting polling agents from having mobile phones at polling stations and urged electoral stakeholders and the public to disregard what he described as misinformation aimed at creating confusion ahead of the polls.
“I want to categorically state as chairperson for election and campaign for Tonse Pamodzi Alliance that rumours circulating on social media that polling agents will not be allowed to have mobile phones must be disregarded as it is unlawful,” Mwakalombe said.
He maintained that polling stations were public places and questioned the basis upon which polling agents could be prevented from carrying their phones.
“In fact, a polling station is a public place, open to anyone. So those imaginations must be thrown in the pit,” he said.
Hon.Mwakalombe further said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had not communicated any directive to the alliance prohibiting polling agents from having mobile phones at polling stations.
“As far as we are concerned, the ECZ has not issued any statement to that effect. Those rumours are just innuendos that are aimed at destabilising the electoral process,” he said.
He also cautioned district electoral officers against allegedly introducing rules that had not been communicated or sanctioned by the ECZ.
“The district electoral officers hired by ECZ should not make their own rules because there is no law to that effect,” he said.
Hon.Mwakalombe said the alliance had engaged the electoral commission and that no issue concerning a ban on mobile phones at polling stations had been raised during their discussions.
“We had an engagement with the ECZ as Tonse Pamodzi Alliance and there was nothing mentioned about not allowing phones at the polling stations,” he said.
He consequently warned district electoral officers to desist from spreading unverified information.
“I want to warn the district electoral officers who are sending such information that their action is not in good faith. They want to have the election discredited, which is not in the interest of anyone participating in this week’s election,” Hon Mwakalombe said.
He called on political parties, polling agents and members of the public to rely on official communication from the ECZ rather than unverified messages circulating on social media.
Hon. Mwakalombe’s remarks come amid heightened political activity and increased scrutiny of electoral procedures as political parties finalise preparations for the polls.