Photo Of Underaged Voter Is Staged Says ECZ

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has refuted claims that under-age people are being allowed to register to vote, saying that a photo of a child in front of ECZ registration equipment was staged.

The photo has been widely circulated on social media, with many Zambians concerned that underaged children are being allowed to register for next year’s elections. 

ECZ acting public relations manager Sylvia Bwalya said that preliminary investigations show the photo was staged but that inquiries were still ongoing and the public would be informed of all findings.

Ms Bwalya clarified that the criteria for voting remain that you must be a Zambian citizen, in possession of a National Registration Card and over the age of 18. 

She said that anyone who does not meet these requirements and attempts to register to vote will be committing an offence and is liable to prosecution.

“The Commission therefore calls on the public to desist from such vices and report anyone found attempting to perform any illegality, to the Commission or the nearest police station,” she said.

ECZ have dismissed this photo as staged