Zambia’s Electoral Commission Provides Key Updates on Election Preparations
Mr. Bob M. Musenga, Acting Chief Electoral Officer, welcomed everyone to the press briefing on behalf of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The purpose of this briefing was to provide updates on various matters, including the tender for the printing and delivery of election materials, ward nominations, and continuous voter registration.
In May 2023, the ECZ issued a tender for the printing and delivery of ballot papers, ballot paper posters, blind voter templates, and announcement forms for a three-year period. However, this tender was canceled due to material governance issues in the solicitation document, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 8 of 2020.
The ECZ has now resolved these issues and will re-issue the tender on September 22, 2023, open to both local and international bidders. Interested parties can obtain bidding documents from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) e-GP System upon payment of a non-refundable fee.
The ECZ conducted nominations in three wards: Katanda, Upangoma, and Mukubwe. In Katanda Ward, only one candidate filed for nomination and went unopposed. The United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate, Nkuyanda Malawo, was declared unopposed.
Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) began on September 5, 2023, in 10 additional districts, bringing the total number of districts conducting CRV to 20. This initiative aims to make electoral services more accessible to the public. In August 2023, 3,038 voters were registered, with Choma recording the highest number at 600 and Mongu the lowest at 129.
The cumulative total of registered voters from January to August 2023 is 10,118. ECZ encourages eligible citizens, especially persons with disabilities, women, and youth, to register as voters.
The ECZ will provide another update on registered voters at the end of September 2023, including data from the newly added 10 districts. The Commission calls upon all eligible Zambian citizens aged 18 and above with green national registration cards to register as voters and participate in the electoral process.
