FODEP launches Go Out to Register Campaign

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has today launched its Go Out to Register Campaign aimed at deepening democratization in Zambia through increased popular participation of citizens in the electoral process, by contributing to the attainment of the registration of 1.7 million new voters by July 2016.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka today, FODEP Civic Education Chairperson, Clement Zulu says the project titled “building public confidence in the voter registration process” is being implemented in 28 districts in nine provinces.

He says the organisation is paying particular attention to the process to ensure that it meets the aspirations of the citizens and also ensure that the right information and messages are communicated for citizens to make informed decisions.

Mr. Zulu says FODEP will engage with schools and establish school chapters at which schools would complete with each other in a manner that sends messages to encourage young people to register as voters.

He says a credible electoral process is key to achieving poverty eradication and good governance in any democratic country.

Mr. Zulu says there is need to have a credible electoral process that could help in attaining objectives set in national initiatives such the National Development Plans and Vision 2030.

And FODEP Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi has called on President Edagr Lungu to cut down on international trips and carrying huge delegations like the one that accompanied him to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to save resources.

Mr Chipenzi he says President Lungu should provide more funding to the mobile issuance of National Registration Cards and voter registration exercises if government is to meet its target.