‘Respect the ECZ’

POLITICAL parties must respect the Electoral Commission of

Zambia (ECZ) and appreciate its role in ensuring that the country holds peaceful elections, the Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) has said.

And the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) has urged political parties to extol the ECZ for the progressive measure taken to convert streams into polling stations to allay the fears of rigging elections.

GPZ national chairperson Phindulani Njobvu said the ECZ should be commended for its role in the electoral process especially that the country has not experienced any election turmoil.

Dr. Njobvu said in an interview that by questioning the role of ECZ in the electoral process, political parties are questioning the highest law of the land because the electoral body has been mandated by law to carry out its mandate.

“Zambia has not experienced any serious problems in any election, that should go well in commending the efforts of the ECZ in ensuring that the country has peaceful polls,” he said.

He urged political parties to put the same trust in the ECZ.

And GPZ President, Robert Mwanza, in an interview commended the ECZ for converting streams into polluting stations.

Mr. Mwanza said the move would not only prevent finger-pointing but also remove the fear of moving ballot papers from one place to the other.

He said the move would ensure that the votes were quickly counted, tabulated, and transmitted especially with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Over the years, there is always one word that comes out during elections and that is rigging so the measures which ECZ has taken will help all those people who had such fears to put them to rest,” Mr. Mwanza said.