GOVT DISMISSES FEARS OF ECZ TIMETABLE BIAS AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES’ MEETING
Government has dismissed suggestions that it intends to influence the presidential campaign timetable, yet to be released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ-, in favour of President Hakainde Hichilema.
The ECZ is this morning scheduled to hold a meeting with presidential candidates to develop the presidential campaign timetable after it last week halted presidential campaigns over concerns of lack of order in the manner in which presidential candidates were conducting their campaigns throughout the country.
Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has also dismissed calls by the Law Association of Zambia for the ECZ to lift presidential campaign restrictions, saying the Commission’s decisions are meant to facilitate effective regulation of the electoral process.
Speaking to Phoenix News in an interview, Mr. Kawana said the planned campaign timetable is aimed at ensuring peace, order and stability throughout the campaign period.
He stressed that ECZ is engaging various stakeholders to promote transparency, fairness and accountability in allocating campaign dates and times.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes -SACCORD- has warned the ECZ against altering the already announced presidential campaign timetable.
SACCORD Acting Executive Director Arthur Muyunda said unexplained changes to the initial timetable could undermine confidence in the fairness of the August 13 polls, stating that political parties have structured their programmes around the earlier timetable, and any adjustments must be clearly justified, transparent, and applied equally to all contestants.
Mr. Muyunda added that while ECZ has the mandate to regulate campaigns, it must avoid actions that create perceptions of bias or place some candidates at a disadvantage.
PN