Msoni doubts ECZ capacity to hold free, fair polls
By George Zulu
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has no capacity to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in its current form, All People’s Congress (ACP) president Nason Msoni has said.
In an interview with the Mast, Msoni said the current ECZ leadership was highly political, compromised and trusting them to manage and the 2026 and future elections would be courting disaster.
He said the UPND had planted well-known cadres at the Commission, making it difficult for the people of Zambia to trust the institution when it came to holding credible and acceptable elections.
“With UPND card carrying and well-known cadres at ECZ it is difficult to trust the institution to hold and manage the elections. In its current form, the ECZ cannot be trusted to hold a credible election. Therefore, it is our call for stakeholders to take keen interest in the behaviour of ECZ. No one believes that the Electoral Commission in its current form can deliver a credible free and fair election that would be acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.
Msoni has since urged the European Union (EU) to seriously help Zambia push for credible and honest electoral reforms and not those that were tilted towards the ruling party.
He said there was need to reach consensus before the next year’s election, unlike the current approach and push by the party in power to enhance their stay in power.
Msoni said an election was not a partisan affair but a serious national undertaking that required building consensus if the outcome was to be credible and acceptable by all stakeholders.
“We urge the EU and other co-operating partners to help persuade and facilitate the holding of dialogue among all political stakeholders.
Given the circumstances, time is of the essence and we need to start building capacities in key institutions. With less than 12 months before the next general elections, there are number of important issues requiring that stakeholders discuss and agree,” Msoni said.
He also urged President Hakainde Hichilema to consider calling for a national political dialogue with other all political parties in national interest as the country was heading to next year’s general elections.
He said mocking Zambians and political players would be costly for those in leadership.
“Mr Hichilema should not mock the opposition political parties calling for dialogue. There are a number of outstanding important national issues requiring political leaders to thrash out ahead of the 2026 elections.
“It is our expectation that Mr Hichilema as President would take a leading role in the initiation of the process as opposed to mocking and making fun of an important national undertaking,” he said.
Msoni said among other critical issues that need dialogue was Hichilema’s iron fist on the Constitution Amendment which was not a priority for Zambia.
He said Hichilema should realise that the Constitution was a national document and wide consultation among Zambians and other stakeholder was necessary.
“Mr. Hichilema must now put to a stop the process of single-handed amendment to the constitution as the constitution is a national document requiring the input of all stakeholders.
“We urge Mr Hichilema to demonstrate statesmanship by embracing dialogue and consultation with other stakeholders ahead of the 2026 elections. Needless to say, that this environment cannot sustain a poorly managed election and expect to achieve acceptable legitimacy,” said Msoni.
