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By GIDEON NYENDWA
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has refuted allegations of illegal voter registration activities in Kawambwa, asserting that the claims are false and baseless.
Brown Kasaro, the ECZ Chief Electoral Officer has clarified that the certified Register of Voters being used in the ongoing Kawambwa Constituency by-election was finalized on February 21, 2024, and adheres strictly to the law.
He said that the certified register had replaced all previous versions and was the sole valid document for the current by-election.
“The register includes voters who participated in the 2021 General Election as well as those registered during the Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) exercise conducted between June and December 2022,” Mr Kasaro said.
Mr Kasaro said stakeholders were reminded that individuals who registered after December 2022 were not part of the current certified register and would only be eligible to vote in future elections following the next certification process.
He said ECZ highlighted its transparency during the certification process, which was conducted publicly on February 21, 2024, with representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, and the media in attendance.
Mr Kasaro at a Political Party Liaison Committee meeting in Kawambwa on December 19, 2024, the Commission reiterated to stakeholders that only the February 2024 certified register would be used for the by-election.
He said the ECZ also addressed concerns regarding voter card replacements that voters already in the certified register but requiring replacement cards due to loss or damage could obtain them at registration centers.
Mr Kasaro, however, the process does not constitute new voter registration.
Mr Kasaro underscored that no illegal voter registration activities are occurring in Kawambwa or elsewhere, ongoing process in Nchelenge District, for instance, pertains only to replacing lost, defaced, or damaged voter cards for individuals already included in the certified register.
