. Akufuna

By KASONDE KASONDE and PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said it is consolidating data collected from aspiring candidates from districts across the country.
ECZ public relations officer Cris Akufuna said the commission was still compiling the data collected during the filing in of nominations.
Mr Akufuna said the compilation of the final candidates’ register had reached an advanced stage following the successful filing in of nine nominated presidential candidates.
He said before the final candidates’ register could be sent for printing, there was need to ensure that the data collected was correct.
“The commission has embarked on consolidating the data that has been collected from across the districts and compiling a final register,” Mr Akufuna said.
He said the registers, once compiled, would be proof-checked before being sent for printing in Dubai.
ECZ has engaged Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Limited of Dubai to print the ballot papers for the August 11 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has dragged the ECZ to court for allegedly stopping more than 10 of its candidates from filing in nominations.
FDD national secretary Kabwita Mutonga has since asked the Constitutional Court to reverse the ECZ’s decision and allow FDD candidates to file in their nominations.
Mr Mulonga wants the court to order that the actions of the returning officers to reject nominations from its candidates was unconstitutional and contravenes article 52(1) and (2) of the Constitution and regulation 13 of Statutory Instrument number 92 of 2006.
He wants the court to order that the candidates whose nominations were rejected on account of not having receipts and change of nomination centres be allowed to file their nominations.
He said about 10 FDD candidates in Mongu Central, Mafinga, Luangeni, Kankoyo, Livingstone, Kalomo Central, Choma, Mbabala and Magoye constituencies had their nomination papers rejected.
Mr Mulonga said the nominations were rejected on grounds that the nomination fees were not paid despite the returning officers being shown receipts.
He also alleged that the ECZ rejected a nomination from John Kashiwa after it moved from the gazetted nomination centre Chulungoma School to Chunga School in Lupososhi Constituency without informing or communicating to the FDD candidate.
He said the rejection of nomination papers from candidates who met the requirements did not only disfranchise the candidates, but was a violation of the Constitution.