Give ECZ power to deregister violent parties - chief

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should be given powers to not only disqualify but deregister any political party that instigates violence during or after elections to preserve the integrity of the electoral process, Chief Shakumbila of the Sala and Ila speaking people of Central province has said.

The traditional leader said violence during elections had the potential to erode confidence in the electoral process and could lead to low turn-up in next year’s general election.

He said it was evident from the high number of violent incidents during elections some political leaders are trouble makers and the ones causing violence in the country.

Chief Shakumbila said the only way to stop political violence in the country was to come up with a mechanism where the ECZ will have express powers to deregister political parties that are in the habit of using violence as means to win elections.

Chief Shakumbila observed that political violence did not only affect voter turn out, but also was responsible for the high number of injuries and deaths of innocent people who are caught up during fights.

“As a country we need to give ECZ powers to deregister political parties that engage in political instigated violence because this is the only way the vice can be curbed and restore integrity in the electoral process,” he said.

The traditional leader also appealed to Government to extend both the mobile issuance of NRCs and the period planned for voter registration to allow all legible Zambians to take part in next year’s general election. He said that the time allocated for the two important exercises was too short and that there was a likelihood that a lot of people, especially the rural population were going to be disadvantaged and may not be able to register as voters.