BY ADRIAN MWANZA –
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has urged the youth to exercise maximum restraint to acts of violence and behaviour which might lead to anarchy as the country prepares for by-elections in Chawama, Senga Hill and Masaiti.
ECZ commissioner Justice Esau Chulu appealed to youths from various political parties not to be used as tools perpetrating violence and causing anarchy in the country.
Justice Chulu said this when he officiated at the ECZ youth conference at the civic centre in Lusaka yesterday.
He said the youth in Zambia made up 54 per cent of registered voters on the current voters’ register of more than 5.1 million people.
Justice Chulu said such figures were an indication that young persons were relevant to the conduct of successful elections.
“The youth in Zambia make up over 54 per cent of the registered voters on the current voters’ register of over 5.1 million and, as such, the youth are relevant to the conduct of successful elections,” Justice
Chulu said.
He said voting was a privilege and one of the ways of contributing to decision-making in the country.
ECZ director Priscilla Isaacs said Zambia had been a trend-setter because it conducted peaceful and fair elections.
Ms Isaacs urged the PF to lead by example and not be the ones in the forefront perpetrating political violence.
“The PF and its cadres have an obligation to fulfill because they were chosen by the people of Zambia to improve their livelihoods,“ she said.
Ms Isaacs also called on the police and other security wings to be impartial and cage all the cadres that were in the habit of causing anarchy in the country regardless of their political affiliation