Opposition Leaders Condemn ECZ Failures

The leaders of several opposition parties have issued statements condemning the Electoral Commission of Zambia over its ill-fated plans to register 9 million new voters in the space of just 30 days. 

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema accused the ECZ of exhibiting ‘draconian’ behaviour, while NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili said the current crop of ECZ commissioners were ‘not fit’ to run the organisation. 

Speaking on Diamond Television, Mr Hichilema went on to say that the new voter registration exercise would cause a constitutional crisis by doing away with the current voter roll. 

The UPND is currently embroiled in a court case against the ECZ for its dismissal of the 2016 voter roll, which it claims is unconstitutional. Another case against the commission - led by musician Pilato - was thrown out of the High Court on Tuesday because it was deemed too similar to the UPND’s case. 

Mr Hichilema also criticised the ECZ for its unfair issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs), calling on Zambians to talk about these issues without “fear and favour”.

The failures of the ECZ were also addressed by MMD leader Nevers Mumba over the weekend, who reminded citizens that “ECZ is not our master; it is servant of the Zambian people”.

The former vice-president said the ECZ had “many sins”, which did not start with the promise of online voter registration but rather had been borne out of a longterm failure to engage with stakeholders. 

He added that any child of five could tell you that registering 9 million voters in 30 days is an impossible task.

“I believe in miracles but certain miracles are not the ones the bible teaches,” he said.