ECZ happy with Zambia’s growing democracy

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is impressed with the commitment citizens are attaching to matters of the country’s constitutional democracy by their active participation in the electoral process.

Ali Simwinga, the vice chairperson of the ECZ says it is encouraging that Zambians were ever eager to participate in the electoral process by ensuring that they voted for their leaders each time they were called upon.

Mr Simwinga said this when he observed the filing of nominations by candidates of different political parties for the March 1, 2024 Itapa Ward in Chinsali.

Five candidates, James Mulilo of Leadership Movement, Titus Chola of UPND, Citizens First with Christian Chileshe, Kaela Bwalya of Socialist Party, and Tresphord Mutale of Patriotic Front (PF) all filed their nominations for the by-election.

Despite the bad weather in Chinsali which caused the nomination centre to open an hour late, members of the various political parties sacrificed to brave the heavy rains to meet the requirements for their preferred candidates.

In an interview yesterday at Kalela School of Itapa ward which was used as a nomination centre, Mr Simwinga hoped that such spirit of sustaining democracy will continue.

He said he was happy to see the youthful age taking up the roles of civic duties, which he noted as a sign of reciprocating.

Mr Simwinga expressed concern with the lack of women participation in the ward by-election and other political positions in general, saying there is need to balance gender in all spheres of decision making.

The by-election follows the death of the former councilor, Mr Lawrence Chanda from the PF in a fatal motorcycle accident on December 13, 2023.