— Luangwa district electoral school appreciates ECZ voter education

Luangwa district electoral school appreciates ECZ voter education

Luangwa Jan, 8, 2015 ZANIS . . . . . Luangwa District residents have appreciated the electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for embarking on the voter education exercise as the exercise is equipping them with the voting process.

A cross section of Luangwa District residents told ZANIS in a random survey conducted on Tuesday in the districts fifteen wards said that they were happy with the exercise as it is empowering them with knowledge on the electoral process.

one of the voters 39 year old Febby Mvula of Dzalo ward said she has learnt a lot from the ongoing voter education exercise ahead of  the 20th January, 2015 Presidential elections.

Ms. Mvula said a lot of her colleagues were ignorant about the electoral malpractices that are conducted by politicians adding that with the voter education, the voters in the area have now known offences in the electoral process.

She said a lot of people were ignorant that it was an offence to give a voter’s card to someone or receiving gifts from candidates.

Innocent Alikuleti  on the other hand commended ECZ for embarking on the voter education saying this was a well come initiative which has been appreciated by the electorate.

Alikuleti  of Phwazi ward said voter education has enlightened a lot of the youth who are used by politicians to cause violence during campaigns.

He said majority of the youth thought violence was part of campaigning but with the voter education going around they have known that it was an offence to be involved in violent activities.

Mandombe village Headman, Christopher Phiri added that the voter education has enabled people in his village to know what corruption is
in the electoral process.

The Headman said though people still saw it to be well and good to get maybe a bag of maize meal or money from those campaigning they have now known that it was an offence and one can be prosecuted if found wanting.

Meanwhile Voter Education Deputy Director, Jocelyn Mubita has implored Voter Education Facilitators in Luangwa District to work hard and inform the people to exercise their right to vote.

Speaking when she monitored the facilitation at Katondwe Mission hospital, Ms. Mubita said voter education was cardinal and
facilitators should ensure that they impart the correct information to the electorates so that they turn up in numbers on the voting day.

She commended the facilitators and the District Voter Education Committee (DEVC) for carrying out the voter education programme
successfully despite the challenges of rains.

Voter Education in Luangwa District has gained momentum despite the challenges the Voter Education Facilitators were facing especially
that it is during the farming season when most people were busy in their fields.