Smear campaign against ECZ slammed

THE opposition’s smear campaign against the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is a recipe for chaos as the country heads for general elections next year, Inter Africa Governance Network Executive Director Maurice Malambo has said.

Mr Malambo said smear campaigns against governance institutions are an assault on democracy.

He said a smear campaign against ECZ was a clear indication that the opposition has no regard for the constitution.

The smear campaign against ECZ, he said, is as a result of failed attempts by opposition and their imperial master to capture it like they have captured other public institutions such as the ACC and DEC.

“Having failed to capture the Electoral Commission of Zambia, there is now an attempt to smear the commission with incompetence and accusation of failure to execute its mandate,” Mr Malambo said.He said the ECZ has not been making unilateral decisions without consultation with stakeholders such as political parties. Mr Malambo said decisions such as nullification of old voter’s register are supported by law and basic reasoning.

“The Electoral Process Act clearly mandates ECZ to carry out continuous voter registration and validation of the voters’ register,” said Mr Malambo.

Meanwhile, Government has implored the ECZ not to take some sentiments made by reckless politicians seriously.

Home Affairs minister Steven Kampyongo said this in parliament on Wednesday. He stated that ECZ should not allow any politician to issue reckless statements that are baseless.

And Munali Member of Parliament Professor Nkandu Luo advised political players to avoid preaching hate speech because it has the potential to destroy the country.