ECZ lifts suspension on campaigns in Lusaka & Namwala

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted the suspension on political campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala districts.

Briefing journalists in Lusaka this afternoon, ECZ Spokesperson Chris Akufuna says the commission hopes political parties will conduct their campaigns peacefully in the remaining period before the elections.

Cris Akufuna

He has also disclosed that in response to the violence stemming from political party campaigns, the commission with the support from UNDP is partnering with the Dag Hammarskjold Institute for peace by organizing a series of conflict prevention/management workshops for the leadership of political parties at provincial and district levels.

And Mr. Akufuna has disclosed that the commission has been able to resolve the 2, 555 cases where NRC numbers and other personal details correlated very closely by using its field agents and that this also includes the 492 records that share full registration details.

He adds that the commission has also removed a further 10, 000 deceased voters from the voters register with the help of NAPSA.

Meanwhile,Mr Akufuna has dismissed as unfounded media reports suggesting that the commission is planning to postpone the elections.

And giving an update on the printing of ballot papers, Mr. Akufuna says printing of ballot papers for the Referendum, Mayoral, Presidential and Local government elections has been completed, while those for parliamentary elections will be completed tomorrow.