POOR VOTER TURN-OUT IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE
POOR VOTER TURN-OUT IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE
According to reports, while the rest of the country has higher voter turnout, Southern province appears to have lower turnout than in 2021.
The precise reasons for this decline are unknown, but preliminary findings indicate a lack of motivation among voters and antagonism within the electorate.
This discontent is partly due to what many see as an undemocratic nomination process that resulted in the selection of unpopular candidates.
Furthermore, as their socioeconomic circumstances deteriorate, some residents are said to be experiencing voting fatigue.
Southern province has a history of high voter turnout.
However, Syaceeye Madyenkuku, a former Sinazongwe member of parliament, stated that since Hichilema took over as leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in 2006, people in that province have not voted in the same way that other provinces have.
Madyenkuku claimed that after 18:00, UPND cadres usually intervene; expel polling staff and mark ballot papers, creating the illusion of high voter turnout.
Concerns have also been raised that Southern province maybe counting on the possibility of pre-set data manipulation aimed at 1.1 million votes reported in May or pre-marked ballots.
These issues highlight the critical need for polling staff and agents to remain vigilant and ensure that votes from Southern province reflect voter turn-out.