Lungu Denies ECZ Interference

As the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) prepares to undertake the colossal task of registering the entire country to vote in the space of one month President Lungu has addressed rumours circulating regarding his involvement in the exercise. 

The ECZ’s decision to scrap the current voters roll and replace it in a short period of time has prompted speculation that there could be some political interference at the body. While the current roll may require some work and updating, the idea of scrapping it altogether at a time when the ECZ has acknowledged it is short of funds appears illogical. Moreover, plans to conduct the new registration of an estimated nine million voters over a period of one month during a global pandemic seems little short of madness. 

The plans are being challenged in the courts, with both civil society and opposition parties disputing the legality of the exercise. By scrapping the old voters roll the exercise may disenfranchise voters. Analysts have also questioned the motivations behind the move, for example historian and UNZA lecturer Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa has pointed out that attempting such an exercise in a short space of time is likely to result in much lower registration levels in rural versus urban areas, which is likely to be a particular problem for the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Hakainde Hichilema whose support comes predominantly from more rural provinces. 

According to Dr Sishuwa, “Sources in the commission said Lungu exerted significant pressure on the electoral body to abolish the permanent register rather than updating it, as required by law, and as has been done in each election since 2005 when it was first created. The electoral commission announced in June that it would discard the register…By using the commission this way, Lungu hopes to disenfranchise as many opposition supporters as possible.” 

In response to speculation the President has stated that the ECZ is an independent and autonomous electoral management body. He further stated that he finds it “absurd” that some citizens would claim that he is interfering with its operations in an attempt to secure advantage for himself and the PF.