EU election observer mission counsels stakeholders

Cecile Kyenge

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission to Zambia says it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election process.

Briefing journalists in Lusaka this morning, EU Election Observation Mission to Zambia, Chief Observer, Cecile Kyenge notes that next month’s elections will be held in a sensitive environment.

Ms Kyenge says peaceful elections are very important, and that the EU mission fully shares the hope echoed throughout Zambia that the process will be conducted without violence.

And Ms Kyenge says the EU mission team will during its mission also assess the conduct of the media by monitoring key TV and Radio stations as well as newspapers by specifically focusing on access to the media by political contenders and whether there is balanced coverage.

She adds that the mission is also observing the extent to which the Code of Conduct for journalists has been adhered to.

Ms Kyenge has emphasized that the EU Election Observation Mission is not interested in the outcome of the elections or in seeing specific candidates win the polls, but is interested in seeing whether the elections will be transparent and fair.