Failure by ECZ to accredit members reducing public confidence in the electoral process- CCMG

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group says the failure by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to accredit its members and other non-partisan electoral stakeholders to observe the recent Katuba parliamentary by-election has the potential to reduce public confidence in the electoral process.

Giving a post election statement on the Katuba by-election at a media briefing, CCMG Steering Committee Chairperson, Cleophas Lungu says despite complying with all ECZ requirements for accreditation, only 36 out of 62 CCMG Parallel Voter Tabulation Monitors were accredited.

Father Lungu says as a result, the CCMG is unable to provide independent verification of the official results for the Katuba by-election.

He has appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia to consider simplifying the accreditation process for observers and party representatives so that it is less onerous on the ECZ itself, citizen observer groups and political parties.

Speaking at the same briefing, CCMG Committee member Father Emmanuel Chikoya called for adequate preparations ahead of the 2021 general election.