By CHILA NAMAIKO –
VARIOUS political parties have welcomed the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to start the distribution of non-security election materials to all the 106 districts in the country.
This follows the announcement by the ECZ that it will soon start distributing election materials such as ballot boxes and wire trays in readiness for the August 11 general elections.
Patriotic Front (PF) deputy spokesperson, Frank Bwalya said the undertaking by ECZ was significant as it was an administrative issue which required support.
Mr Bwalya said the PF was happy with the tremendous efforts that the ECZ was making in the management of the electoral process.
“ECZ is making strides in improving the management of elections, especially since the PF came into power because the development has raised confidence in the people of Zambia,” Mr Bwalya said.
He, however, called on some opposition political party leaders to desist from demonising the credibility of the ECZ, saying the commission was on the right track in managing the elections.
MMD spokesperson Reuben Sambo said the distribution of election materials was timely and in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
“As MMD, we fully support this move by ECZ because this will reduce some challenges encountered in the electoral process,” he said.
Reverend Sambo said the early distribution of non-security materials signified that the commission was ready to handle the elections and was working towards avoiding stumbling blocks in the electoral process.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the commission was doing commendable work to start mobilising the election materials.
Mr Kakoma, however, reiterated the need for ECZ to continue engaging political parties to harmonise electoral matters such as adherence to the electoral code of conduct.
ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna announced last week that the commission would start distributing ballot boxes and wire trays in readiness for the August elections.
Mr Akufuna said the distribution of election materials was to ensure that they were delivered on time due to the huge volume of materials that ECZ would be needed to transport to all districts.