Referendum fails

ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu

The Referendum on the bill of rights held alongside the general election last week has failed.

This is after less than 50 percent of the 7,528,091 eligible voters voted. 3,764,046 should have voted for the referendum to be successful.

Announcing the results of the referendum in Lusaka this morning, Electoral of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu says a total of 3, 345, 471 votes were cast with 1, 852, 559 being YES votes, while 753, 549 were NO votes.

Justice Chulu says 739, 363 were rejected votes.

He says the failure to attain the 50% threshold therefore means that the referendum was unsuccessful.