The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it has taken into account concerns raised on the ongoing voter registration exercise which was launched on Monday 9th November 2020.
Commission Acting Public Relations Manager Sylvia Bwalya said the electoral body has started deploying additional staff and registration kits to all registration Centers which have recorded high numbers of people so that the voter registration exercise can be expedited efficiently and expeditiously.
Ms. Bwalya stated that in order to ensure that those who pre-registered online spend less time at the Registration Centres, the Commission will be publishing designated Registration Centers specifically for those who pre-registered online.
“The Electoral Commission of Zambia would like to assure all stakeholders and the general public that it has taken into account the concerns raised on the ongoing voter registration exercise which was launched on Monday 9th November 2020,” she said.
She however, said all Registration Centers will still be able to cater for those who pre-registered online and those who will be commencing their registration at the physical registration Centers.
Ms. Bwalya explained that it is the practice of the Commission that persons with disabilities, the elderly and expectant mothers are given priority during elections and in all the electoral services, further urging field officers to ensure that such people are assisted and taken in front of the queues.
“The Commission is undertaking the voter registration exercise in four (4) phases and each phase is running for a period of at least 7 days after which the Registration Officers move to the next phase,” Bwalya said
“Therefore, not all Registration Centres may be open in each phase however, the Commission has ensured that there are other open Registration Centres within the catchment area and all eligible voters will have access to the registration centres for the entire registration period.
And Ms Bwalya added that registration Centres that may not be open in the current phase one (1) will open in subsequent phases. The Commission would like to inform all stakeholders and the general public that all eligible Zambians who wish to register as voters can register from any registration.
Meanwhile the Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has urged Zambians to register as voters despite the slow pace at which the registration exercise is taking place.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Organization Executive Director Richwell Mulwanda said despite receiving complaints from citizens about the slow pace at which the Mobile Voter Registration exercise is taking place, the organization has also observed the rate at which the registration exercise is being conducted.
“If the exercise continues at the same pace, some people may be discouraged to register as voters, a situation that may disadvantage them from participating in the electoral process,” he said.
“People intending to register as voters should take advantage of the various registration centers unlike being crowded in one place.”
Mr Mulwanda explained that a person can register from any Centre, but that all they have to do is to ensure that they prove correct details of which polling station they expect to vote from on the actual Election Day.
On Monday this week the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) launched the Mobile Voter Registration exercise expected to ran until the 12th of December 2020.