Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has advised government to use Digital Solution to conduct a Census as the country prepares to hold the referendum on the new constitution next year.
YALI Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza has told QFM News in a statement that his organization is pleased with Government’s announcement that the Referendum will be held in 2016.
YALI Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza
Mr. Mwanza believes that Government has taken time to study what all citizens, stakeholders and interest groups have been saying on the issue of holding a successful referendum.
Mr. Mwanza says it is also motivating to note that government will put in place measures that will provide for holding of a successful referendum in which 50 percent of persons entitled to be registered will turn up and vote.
He says this is the time that Government should begin thinking of proposals by some citizens to conduct a Census using the Digital system as opposed to the current situation where data on Zambians and non – Zambians is contained in manual systems maintained by different institutions such the Department of National Registration, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and Immigration Department with the Central Statistical Office not having the actual personal details of persons linked to their data.
He has implored President Edgar Lungu to emulate his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, who on Wednesday last week, launched the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS), which allows access to an individual’s entire registration and identification records using a single personal identification number.
Mr. Mwanza says in preparation of either a sample of full population census to determine the threshold required in the Referendum on the Constitution, Government should consider using the Digital means of capturing information that will ensure all State Agencies such as ECZ, Department of National Registration and CSO have access and huge volumes of data of a person such as birth dates and certificates, national identity cards, passports at the click of a button.
He adds that his organization is aware that the Ministry of Justice, has received a proposal to use the IT solution in conducting the Census in readiness for the Referendum.