• EU has rendered 7.8 million Euros to the Electoral basket fund.
• Zambia is keeping her strong tradition of transparency and openness to democratic values and principals.
• Government commends the vital role played by the EU in supporting democratic processes in Zambia.

Vice President Inonge Wina says European Union (EU) has given 7.8 million Euros to the Electoral basket fund implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Zambian government.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Observer of the EU Election Observer Mission Maria Arena and EU Ambassador to Zambia Jacek Jankowski in Lusaka, Mrs. Wina thanked the organization for the financial support, as well as advocacy towards regional peace and unity through consistent observation of Zambia’s elections.

She assured the EU that Zambia will uphold its strong tradition of transparency, openness, and commitment to democratic values and principals before, during and after the elections.

“I want to express government’s gratitude for the financial support amounting to 7.8 million Euros rendered by the European Union to the Electoral basket fund implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Zambian government. Zambia is keeping her strong tradition of transparency and openness, as well as her commitment to democratic values and principals.

“I wish to commend the vital role played by the European Union in supporting democratic processes in Zambia, and its unwavering role and advocacy towards regional peace and unity through the consistent observation of Zambia’s elections,” Mrs. Wina said.

Mrs. Wina revealed that Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), African Union and the Commonwealth have confirmed their participation in the observation of the general elections.

“The Zambian government sent out invitations to SADC, African Union and the Commonwealth who confirmed their participation in the observation of the 2021 general elections. And this goes to show that Zambia is committed to conducting a free and fair election,” she added.

And Mrs. Wina said Government has put in place several measures to ensure that all Covid-19 protocols are adhered to during the forthcoming general elections.

She also appreciated the EU’s solidarity and support in the overall fight against the pandemic in Zambia.

“I wish further to congratulate the European Union for physically its fifth electoral observation mission particularly during this Covid period. And while the pandemic continues to challenge the protocols of conducting electoral processes and electoral observation missions, the Zambian Government has put in place various mechanisms to ensure that in so far as possible, all protocols are adhered to.”

“Further we wish to appreciate the solidarity and support shown by the EU in this regard, and particularly in the overall fight and mitigation effort against Covid-19 in Zambia,” she stated.
The EU and several EU Member States recently contributed 7.8 million Euros, equivalent to K185 million to Zambia’s electoral process through the UNDP Basket Fund, and the EU Election Observation Mission has deployed 32 long-term observers in Zambia’s 10 provinces ahead of next month’s general elections.