Adopt constructive ways to deal with electoral disputes
We are fortified that there are proper grievance procedures under the necessary laws. For example, the ECZ has the District Conflict Management Committees whose mandate is to attend to grievances by stakeholders.
WE have noted the chaotic intention by the opposition under a disguise of a protest to demand the resignation of the people at the helm of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
While it is the democratic right of citizens to protest on matters that they are aggrieved about, we feel the intended inappropriate action by the opposition amounts to political interference.
We are fortified that there are proper grievance procedures under the necessary laws. For example, the ECZ has the District Conflict Management Committees whose mandate is to attend to grievances by stakeholders.
Moreover, they have further recourse to prosecute their rights through judicial route. It is even logical that since they have challenged the conduct of the registration of voters in court, they should allow the due process to take its course without unnecessary pressure.
We do not think the perceived misunderstandings have reached an exponential levels to justify the recourse to activities which are an affront to public order.
The intended action is meant to undermine the independence and integrity of the ECZ. They are playing to the gallery with the preoccupied intention to discredit their pending loss.
The unwarranted harassment against the ECZ must be condemned and should not be accepted as a new normal. Therefore, the intimidation of the ECZ by the politically inclined people is meant to undermine the ongoing legitimate electoral processes especially if results did not go in their favour.
We have also read in some sections of the media houses were some politicians are urging Zambians to defend their rights. We remind them that they too have the duty to ensure that their members are properly informed on the conduct of the voting process and ensure they are not disenfranchised.
Despite their constant accusations of the imaginary rigging, their reluctance to educate their followers who apparently have access to ICT facilities, they have been entrapped in the web of negligent conduct to facilitate for the registration of their supporters.
Moreover, we have pre-registered already using the ECZ portal and we continue to help our families and friends with ICT knowledge deficiency to register. We can therefore use our registration experience to attest that the system is safe and secured and there is no single voter who can use the same National Registration Card to register more money once.
As a political party that is claiming to wear the veil of the rule of law in the unlikely event it assumed state power, the UPND must desist from consistently disrespecting the institutions of governance.
It is unfair for the opposition to raise unfounded rigging allegations. In an event they were declared winners of the polls they are discrediting, will they allow to be associated with the shame they are smearing at ECZ?
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI, Youth Rights Activist, Lusaka.