Samfya captures 60, 000 voters

OVER 60,000 eligible voters have been registered in the just ended voter registration exercise in Samfya District, district registration officer Francis Nkhoma has said.

Mr Nkhoma who is also Samfya Town Council secretary commended the residents for turning up in numbers to register as voters.

He said it was the desire of Government and civic leaderships in district to capture all eligible voters.

According to Samfya Town Council public relations officer, Gwendolyn Mchenga, Mr Nkoma was speaking during the demobilisation of the registration team in the Council chamber.

The team comprised assistant voter registration officers, uniformed staff and transporters. "As district registration officer and speaking on behalf of civic and government leaderships, l wish to commend officers in the field for exemplary conduct in field. "It is also pleasing that ECZ equipment was taken care of well. It is because if your acceptable conduct that the district was able to register over 60 000 eligible voters," Mr Nkhoma said.

He explained that the exercise in the district was conducted in four phases with an extension of four days.

The ECZ has projected to register nine million voters ahead of the general elections in August 12, next year.

And over 54,000 voters have registered in Mpulungu

Mpulungu District Electoral Officer Philemon Nyirenda attributed the high numbers of registered voters to concerted efforts that were put in place by stakeholders in the constituency.

And Mr Nyirenda has commended the District Voter Education Committee (DVEC) and Voter Education Facilitators (VEFS) for doing their best in ensuring that the exercise is successful.

He also revealed his office did not receive any complaints about the behavior of the facilitators and the team during the time they spent in the field, adding that it is a plus for the commission.

Mr Nyirenda was speaking during a wrap up meeting for the District Voter Education Committee and Voter Education Facilitators in Mpulungu. “You are a good team because your hard work has shown through the number of voters that have registered in the district,” he said

And speaking on behalf of the committee, DVEC chairperson John Chewe thanked the Electoral Officer for giving them an opportunity to work during the exercise.

Mr Chewe said the committee consisted of individuals who understand the importance of the programme and who were willing to work for the benefit of the community.

He said DVEC members trusted the field facilitators and they have shown their loyalty to the community.