• ECZ should allow correction of disability type during the Voters’ register inspection period.
• This request is based on ZAFOD’s findings from its select observation of voter registration.
• Multiple registration centres visited were not accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Zambia Federation of Disability Organizations (ZAFOD) has called on Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to allow voters review and correct, where necessary, their disability status during the voters’ register inspection period.
Federal Director Justine Bbakali told Money FM News that according to the Organization’s findings from its select observation of voter registration, disability types were not consistently registered.
Mr. Bbakali said the Commission must take stronger action to ensure accessibility of inspection centers and polling stations to persons with disabilities.

He stated that the Organization’s observers also noted that multiple registration centers visited were not accessible to those with physical disabilities.
“Although ZAFOD applauds the ECZ for incorporating the registration of disability type into the voter registration exercise, ZAFOD notes with concern that ECZ officials failed to consistently record voters’ disability type, with some ECZ officers recording only disabilities that they themselves assessed such as the visually impaired and those with physical disabilities. Therefore, the register will not reflect the correct disability type of a voter in all cases, which limits the ECZ to provide reasonable accommodation on the Election Day.”
“ZAFOD calls on the ECZ to allow for the correction of disability type during the inspection period and for the ECZ to publicize correction will be allowed so that persons with disabilities can ensure that their disability information is accurately captured,” Mr. Bbakali said.
Mr. Bbakali explained that the findings, as well as ZAFOD’s concerns on the lack of systematic and complete recording of voters’ disability types are consistent with the nationwide observation findings published by the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG).
He stressed the need for the Commission to undertake an analysis of accessibility of venues that will serve as inspection centers and polling stations, make them fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
“ZAFOD further calls on the ECZ to undertake an analysis of accessibility of venues that will serve as inspection centers and polling stations and undertake adequate measures to make all of these venues fully accessible to persons with disabilities, so they can freely participate in the voter register inspection exercise and in casting their votes on Election Day,” he stated.
On December 20, 2020, the Zambia Federation of Disability Organizations (ZAFOD) deployed four members of its Technical Working Group, who were duly accredited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), to eight selected registration centres in three Lusaka constituencies , following the extension of the voter registration period to monitor the voter registration extension exercise.