By Elijah Munkombwe
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, stating that it will not permit any political party cadre to take part in the management of electoral processes.
ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the Commission remains firm in safeguarding the integrity and independence of elections, particularly ahead of the Chawama Constituency by-election scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Ms. Zaloumis emphasized that election management is the sole responsibility of ECZ-trained personnel and not individuals aligned to any political party.
“We cannot allow a party cadre to manage elections. The Commission has a clear mandate to recruit, train and deploy impartial electoral staff who will carry out their duties professionally and without political influence,” she said.
In preparation for the by-election, the ECZ has appointed more than 600 polling staff who will undergo a five-day intensive training programme. The training is aimed at equipping officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage polling activities across 111 polling stations in the constituency.
Ms. Zaloumis explained that the training will focus on electoral procedures, ethics, voter assistance, results management and conflict prevention to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process.
She further assured stakeholders and residents of Chawama that the Commission has put in place measures to promote transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.
The ECZ Chairperson also called on political parties, candidates and supporters to respect the law and cooperate with election officials to maintain peace before, during and after polling day.
The Chawama by-election has attracted significant public interest, and ECZ has urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right peacefully.
-Diggers