ECZ Warns Against Unofficial Radio, Television Campaigns

2 May 2011

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said it will not allow unofficial campaigning on radio and television as commencement of the election campaign period is determined by the electoral body under Section 26 of the Electoral Act.

ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna said the commission was aware of some political parties and aspiring candidates having begun campaigns through conducting of public rallies, meetings, publication of political manifestos and advertisements in the media, which he described as illegal and against the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Mr Akufuna said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that campaigns could only start once the poling day had been announced as provided for in section 27 of the Electoral Act and as determined by the ECZ under Section 26 of the Electoral Act .

He said political players should, therefore, adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct to ensure that no participating candidate was unduly disadvantaged in the electoral process.

Mr Akufuna also asked all media houses to respect the rights and freedoms of aspiring candidates and political parties.

He further urged the media to provide fair and balanced news coverage to political parties and aspiring candidates before and during the official campaign period.

Meanwhile, the ECZ will start inspecting the voters’ register from May 30 to June 12 this year.

Mr Akufuna said in an interview with the Times yesterday that the inspection exercise would be conducted at all the 6, 564 polling centres in the country.

He said the exercise would allow all the 5, 207, 090 registered voters to check if their details were recorded accurately and if their names were appearing at the centres where they registered.

Mr Akufuna said ECZ had managed to register about 1, 207, 090 more voters in this year’s voter registration exercise, bringing the total number to 5, 207, 090 registered voters.

He said ECZ managed to register 3.9 million voters during the 2008 presidential by-elections.

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