HH calls for urgent appointment of ECZ Chair

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has called on President Edgar Lungu to urgently prioritise the nomination of the substantive Chairperson at the Electoral Commission of Zambia to take over from Justice Ireen Mambilima who previously held the position.

Mr Hichilema in a statement says Mr. Lungu and his PF government must know that the ECZ is such an important institution that cannot continue to operate without the top leadership such as the Chairperson.

He says as the Commission will soon embark on a voter registration exercise and preparations for next year’s tripartite elections, it is essential that planning for such important undertakings is overseen by a Chairperson that has the confidence of political parties, civil society and the public.

Mr Hichilema states that a suitable name must be nominated for possible ratification by Parliament so that whoever takes over has sufficient time to get to grips with the huge task ahead, address the deficiencies identified in previous elections and build relationships with the necessary stakeholders.

The UPND leader stresses that confidence in the election process starts with the kind of people appointed to manage the electoral process, hence the need to urgently identify an appropriate successor for Justice Mambilima who is widely respected.