ECZ suspends release of results as Scott orders ZAF to give flight permits to UPND January 21, 2015 1 Comment The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has suspended the announcement of election results to avoid influencing voters in the polling stations where voting is still going on. And the ECZ has prevailed on the Zambia Air Force to give the UPND flying rights to allow them transport monitors to the places that are voting today. ECZ Chairperson Ireen Mambilima told a briefing at Mulungushi Wednesday that voting will continue in polling stations where ZAF failed to transport materials and staff. ‘It will not be appropriate to give results because some people are voting and they must vote with a free mind,’ Mambilima said She explained that the total number of registered voters in the affected areas is 21,337 and the stations are in Mitete, Senanga, Luena, Petauke, Muchinga and Chama South. Others are Chama North, Mafinga, and Rufunsa. She explained that the Commission has faced unprecedented challenges due to the weather and gave an example of Mitete in Western Province where they are using boats and ox-cats to transport election materials. On the Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT) results she said the results are already in public domain because all results are announced at the polling centres and people are free to tabulate but should not speculate false results to avoid confusion. She said those who feel that they have won should keep it to themselves and celebrate at their party camps. Meanwhile the ECZ has prevailed on the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) to give flight permits to the UPND to enable them transport their monitors using choppers to the inaccessible places where voting is taking place today Wednesday. Mambilima said Acting President Guy Scott was engaged by the Commission after the UPND complained and ZAF has since given the flight permits to the UPND after Acting President Guy Scott intervened. She said it was up to the other political parties to find their own ways of transporting their monitors. The next briefing will be at 17 hours today Wednesday while the announcement of results is expected to resume on Thursday at 10 hours.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 11:55:35 +0000
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