Government To Shut Down Internet On Election Day
A government source has confirmed that the internet will be shut down on election day, Thursday 12th August. It comes after telecommunications networks MTN and Airtel failed to rule out cooperating with a potential blackout.
The anonymous source said there would be a total internet shutdown until at least the following Saturday, with full access only being restored by Sunday at the earliest.
They said that President Lungu had approved the measure in order to counter possible unrest that may arise as election results roll in. They said the decision has already been communicated to ZICTA for implementation.
“There is fear that some negative elements might use the internet to incite and organise protests and this is why we are shutting it down altogether,” the source revealed.
The news comes after MTN and Airtel - Zambia’s two largest telecommunications providers - refused to rule out complying with a government directive to restrict internet access. Speaking to the Daily Maverick MTN said a shutdown remained a “last resort”.
The network has a poor reputation in this regard, having previously restricted internet access in Uganda during the country’s general elections this January. This resulted in a sixth term in office for President Yoweri Museveni, despite what the US State Department called “multiple credible reports” of electoral fraud. Last month, MTN also supported a shutdown in eSwatini, which was aimed at suppressing ongoing pro-democracy protests.
A free internet is vital for ensuring the progress of free and fair elections. Not only are many voters reliant on the internet for information about how and where to vote, but it is also crucial for allowing election observers and monitors to properly do their jobs. Without the connection provided by the internet, monitors will be unable to properly carry out verification exercises or report instances of political violence and electoral fraud.
Last month, Open Zambia wrote to both MTN and Airtel, urging the networks to commit to keeping the internet on this election. So far neither company has issued a statement promising to safeguard Zambia’s democracy. Both networks have the money and resources to resist government pressure and ensure that the internet stays on this election.
Please sign our petition to pressure these companies into upholding your rights. Let’s show MTN and Airtel that Zambia’s democracy doesn’t have an off switch.
SIGN HERE: http://chng.it/mBJ9FF5bMT