Lack of publicity, sensitisation by ECZ contributed to voter apathy

Dear Editor,

IT was interesting to learn that Lusaka residents from seven constituencies cast their votes in the mayoral by-election last Thursday, July 26.

However the election was characterised by voter apathy as few voters trekked to the polling stations to elect candidates of their choice.

As usual, the voting started as at 06:00 hours at nearly all polling stations.

I however strongly believe that, voter apathy can be correctly attributed to the failure by the Electoral Commission of Zambia E&= to conduct sufficient publicity to make voters go to cast their votes. People needed to be educated on the need to vote.

It is mind-boggling to note however that just a few people bothered to vote despite the fact that the voting day was declared a public holiday by President Edgar Lungu.

Every election taking place under the supervision of the ECZ should be properly organised through publicity and sensitisation so that many people participate in voting.

Lusaka has 840, 000 plus registered voters and it was surprising that less than 20 percent of the eligible voters cast their votes.

This sad state of affairs has irked the Head of State who has since called for an inquiry into voter apathy or low voter turnout.

But despite poor voter turnout Mr Miles Sampa, the ruling Patriotic Front candidate emerged victorious after garnering 81, 936 votes.

In the second and third positions were Kangwa Chileshe of UPND and Mundia Mukubesa aka Petersen of the People's Alliance for Change who got 36, 753 votes and 7, 741 votes respectively.

In conclusion, I wish to make an earnest appeal to ECZ to do more publicity and sensitisation on elections in future to avoid voter apathy.

Congratulations to Mr. Sampa on winning the mayoral seat and to other losing candidates for participating in the same election. ELEMIYA PHIRI, Lusaka.