ECZ initiative to engage stakeholders applauded
THE Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has welcomed the proactive steps taken by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to start engaging political parties over pertinent electoral processes early.
SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe said the open-door policy of the ECZ and the willingness to engage with political parties on critical matters of the electoral process was key in helping build consensus and to demystify some of the issues.
This he, said, was e idenced by the first political party liaison meeting that was held a few days ago by the electoral body.
“SACCORD is happy that the reported key electoral issues such as the delimitation exercise, printing of ballot papers, results management, prisoners’ voting and the enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct, and voters’ registration were covered,” he said.
Mr Cheembe said Zambians wanted to see a peaceful electoral environment that allowed all the stakeholders to peacefully participate and platforms such as the political party liaison meeting assist in attaining a desirable outcome.
He commended all the political parties that attended and participated in providing input on key electoral issues that were discussed.
He said this was the spirit that was expect of the ECZ and political parties as the country continued to build the momentum towards 2021.