SPEECH BY ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON JUSTICE IRENE MAMBILIMA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA CHIPATA YOUTH CONFERENCE HELD ON 29 TH JUNE, 2013. The Honourable Justice Esau Chulu, Commissioner, The Director, Electoral Commission of Zambia, The District Electoral Officer and Council Staff, Youth Leaders of Political Parties, Conference participants, Ladies and Gentlemen. 1
I wish to firstly thank you, the youths of Chipata, for accepting our invitation to attend this youth conference at which the Commission would like to engage young people on the electoral process. The youths in Zambia make up 54 per cent of the registered voters on the current voters register of over five point one Million (5.1 million people) and as such the youths are relevant to the conduct of successful elections. The Commission recognises the role that the youths play in the life of this country. It is usually said that the youths are leaders of tomorrow. The Commission believes that the youths should start leading today; this means that youths must start repositioning themselves for leadership in all that they do. 2
I, therefore, challenge the youths of Zambia to stand up and be counted and show leadership in the electoral process, and especially during campaigns. The Commission realises the enthusiasm displayed by the youth in registering to vote and in acquiring information about the electoral process. I, however, would like to see the same enthusiasm displayed in dealing with malpractices during campaigns. I am, therefore, happy that this platform will enable the young people to acquire the much needed information and to air their views on various electoral issues that may affect them. The Commission would like to raise a pool of knowledgeable and enthusiastic young people who can speak to other young people about the operations of the Commission and the electoral process in general. 3
The Commission would also like to increase the number of young people who will register to vote for future elections and turn out to cast their ballot. Please remember that voting is your right and one of the ways in which you can contribute to decision making in our country. Campaigns for Chipata Central Constituency have since started. I want to appeal to all the youth gathered here today, to take up their rightful role and provide leadership for peaceful campaigns. By so doing, the youth should be exemplary and lead the way in condemning all malpractices in the electoral process. The youths should not be used as tools of violence. Even when provoked, the youths should exercise maximum restraint to acts of violence and behaviors which are likely to lead to anarchy in the country. In this way, the 4
youth will be demonstrating the much needed leadership that this country yearns for. May I also urge those of you who are registered as voters in the Chipata Central Constituency to show leadership by turning out in big numbers on 25 th July, 2013, to vote for your preferred candidates. Finally, I wish to inform you that the Commission remains open for any suggestions or clarifications that you may seek to enable you to contribute effectively to the electoral process. To this effect, the Commission last year, launched a Voter Education Resource Centre in Lusaka situated in the Show Grounds. The Resource Centre has information and modern equipment to make it easy for learners and researchers wishing to gather information about the Commission and the electoral process. The Commission is exploring ways 5
of inviting schools to the Resource Centre so that their civics lessons are enhanced. The Centre is open to you and members of the public wishing to obtain electoral information. Make an effort to visit the centre whenever you are in Lusaka. Lastly, I would like to thank all of you for participating in this programme and I hope that we can make history by giving an example to other youths in other parts of the country, by having the most peacefully conducted election. I wish you all the best as we count down to the 25 th July, 2013 parliamentary by-elections. I thank you and God bless you. 6