SPEECH BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA, THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE IRENE MAMBILIMA, DURING THE MEDIA LUNCHEON AT

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1 SPEECH BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA, THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE IRENE MAMBILIMA, DURING THE MEDIA LUNCHEON AT MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE ON FRIDAY, 28 TH MARCH, Members of the Commission, The Director, Electoral Commission of Zambia, Members of the Media Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this luncheon of the media corps and other media practitioners based in Lusaka. As stated in past meetings, the Commission remains committed to strengthening its relations with the media through such meetings. A number of developments have taken place since we met last year; these include by-elections for some constituencies and wards in several parts of the country. Page 1 of 5

2 This year the Commission is embarking on a delimitation exercise of polling stations and wards in the country to minimise the distances that the electorate has to cover between their home and polling stations. As stated in the last meeting, the Commission suspended voter registration at its Voter Education Information Resource Centre in the Show-grounds in December Since then, Commission has not conducted voter registration at the Center due to the by-elections that we have continued to have. I would like to reiterate that voter registration will remain suspended until further notice in accordance with the Electoral Act, Section 4(3). The Commission, however, has carried out inspections of the register of voters in areas where there were new registrations, transfers or amendments to particulars of registered voters while the centre was open before December I would like to assure the nation that the status of the Register of Voters therefore still remains as it was in the 2011 tripartite elections, save for the new registrations and amendments that were done before December, Page 2 of 5

3 The Commission has continued engaging the youth and traditional leaders in areas where there are by-elections. I am pleased to report that these interactions have been fruitful but the Commission believes that there is more that still needs to be done by all stakeholders. The Commission has noted a marginal reduction of violence during recent by-elections. The practice of ferrying political party cadres to areas where there are by-elections has still continued. I therefore challenge all political parties participating in elections to desist from this practice. The Commission has observed that some traditional leaders have complied with Section 82 of the Electoral Act and Section 7(i) of the Electoral Code of Conduct which clearly states that traditional leaders shall not intimidate and threaten their subjects if they do not vote in a particular way. Page 3 of 5

4 Since the decision of the Commission to establish political party committees at district level, several committees have been formed in districts where we have had by-elections recently. Preliminary reports reaching us suggest that the establishment of these committees has to some extent improved information flow from the Commission to the political parties at district level and helped in minimising conflicts in the electoral process. The Voter Education Information Resource Centre in the show-grounds is still open for people to visit and learn more about the electoral process in Zambia. The Commission is glad to report that the Centre is abuzz with stakeholders and pupils from Lusaka based schools who want to learn about the electoral process. Today, the Commission is glad to invite the media to visit the Voter Education and Information Resource Centre so that you have an appreciation of the activities taking place there. Have a fruitful visit and may God bless you. Page 4 of 5

5 I thank you Page 5 of 5