Don’t use same supporters, ECZ warns
By Thandizo Banda
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has warned parties against using the same supporters for presidential aspirants saying its electronic system will detect duplicate National Registration Cards (NRCs).
ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis issued the warning Monday after the first day of the presidential supporter pre-processing exercise held in Kabwe.
“Each supporter must be unique to one presidential candidate. The ECZ electronic system will flag any voter or NRC used more than once,” Zaloumis said.
She warned that the commission would not tolerate attempts to deceive the system.
Zaloumis commended ECZ officers for an orderly exercise but slammed the late arrivals by some parties.
The centre closed at 17:30 hours instead of 15:00 hours due to delays.
“Several political parties struggled to meet the 100-supporter threshold, causing delays to close the centre,” she said.
Reports emerged of parties scrambling outside the venue to recruit supporters, with individuals allegedly switching allegiance to the highest bidder.
So far, Zambia Wake Up Party (ZAWAPA)’s Howard Kunda, United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ)’s Charles Chanda and Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP)’s Kelvin Fube Bwalya have been cleared.
The rest were Forum for Development and Democracy (FDD)’s Brian Mundubile, Movement for Economic Emancipation (M4EE)’s Given Mwenya and Christian Democratic Party (CDP)’s Professor Danny Pule.
On Tuesday, ECZ verified supporters for Citizens First – Harry Kalaba; 3rd Liberation Movement – Enock Tonga; TBA – Dr. Sebastian Kapulande; People’s Party – Francis Madona Mwape; Economic Freedom Fighter Party – Kasonde Mweenda.
