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CEG calls for fresh voters’ registration exercise
Lusaka, 22 November, 2014, ZANIS —- The Centre for Elections and Governance (CEG) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) consider to a voter registration exercise ahead of the Presidential election set for January 20 next year.
CEG Chairperson Mashes Mwewa says the decision by ECZ not to register new voters will deny citizens who have become eligible to vote since 2011.
Mr Mwewa called for the setting up of voter registration centres in at all polling stations for the purpose of voter registration as well as replacement of lost voter’s cards.
He also bemoaned the limited powers that the ECZ has to prosecute and bar corrupt and violent political parties and individuals from participating in the electoral process.
Mr Mwewa said it was the wish of CEG that Zambians will elect a person who will be committed to enacting the new constitution in order to guarantee good democratic governance in Zambia.
He further prayed that the in-fighting being experienced in some political parties will not spill over into the electoral process.
The January 20th, 2015 Presidential by –elections comes in the wake of the untimely death of Fifth Republican President Micheal Chilufya Sata in a London Hospital.
Various political parties such as the ruling PF, MMD and UPND among others have expressed interest in vying for the seat and have already started their campaigns.
And Mr Mwewa has expressed concern at the low number of organisations participating in election monitoring in the country.
He explained that CEG will work with other civic and non-governmental organisations to promote and defend democracy by deployed 100 monitors in selected districts.
He said there is need to for the ECZ to come up with new electoral guidelines that will level the political playing field by affording all political players an opportunity to express themselves during the campaign period.
