ECZ Dismisses Claims of Illegal Polling Stations

Описание: By Wilson Mulinda

Counting is underway in the Chawama Parliamentary by-election following the close of polls.

Chawama Constituency has more than 92,000 registered voters, according to the 2021 certified voter register.

The constituency has 111 polling stations, with presiding officers at all stations announcing the closure of voting simultaneously at exactly 18:00 hours.

Electoral Commission of Zambia –ECZ- Chairperson MWANGALA ZALOUMIS described the electoral process as smooth and peaceful.

However, Ms. ZALOUMIS noted incidents in which some polling agents did not fully understand the requirements for voting, resulting in a number of voters being unable to cast their ballots because their names did not appear on the voter register.

She told journalists that only voters listed on the 2021 certified voter register were eligible to vote in Chawama, and only at the polling stations where they are registered.

Meanwhile, ECZ Chief Electoral Officer BROWN KASARO dismissed remarks attributed to Matero Member of Parliament MILES SAMPA, who claimed that the Commission had established two illegal polling stations along Lilayi Road in Chawama.

Mr. KASARO said the claims were false and misleading, explaining that the two polling stations on Lilayi Road are part of the 111 officially recognised polling stations in Lusaka.

Chawama Constituency Returning Officer LEWIS LUPANDO is expected to announce the winner once results from all polling stations have been verified.