Zambia’s Elections Body May be Forced to Use Old Voters’ Register in Coming Presidential Election

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has indicated that it may be forced to use a voters’ register from the 2006 presidential and general elections in the forthcoming presidential election that is expected to elect a successor to the late President Levy Mwanawasa. The poll has to take place before November 19, which is a 90-day period stipulated by the country’s constitution.

The ECZ has, however, said that in view of the short period to prepare for the election, it may be forced to use the existing voters’ register for the polls.

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), an elections monitoring organization, has however said this decision could disenfranchise thousands of Zambians.

FODEP Executive Director Stanley Mhango told journalists on Wednesday that there are several factors that have changed since 2006 which many disadvantage voters.

He cited people’s movement as one major reason that could disadvantage voters who may have relocated from one part of Zambia to another since 2006 and such people would not be able to vote from a new location.

Under the electoral rules a voter can only vote from the polling station that the individual registers in.

He also observed that in addition a significant number of people who were too young to vote then, have now reached the voting age of 18 and would be left out if a new registration process is not conducted.

Source African Press Agency

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