Zambia opposition rejects mobile phone ban at poll centres

What you need to know:

  • United Party for National Development legislator Request Muntanga, questioned the rationale behind the decision.

  • The opposition was also in a tussle with the commission over its Dubai-based printer for this year’s ballot papers.

  • Zambia has held consistent elections since gaining independence from Britain in 1964.

LUSAKA, Wednesday

The Zambia opposition has opposed the decision by the Electoral Commission to ban mobile phones at the vote tallying centres during the August 11 General Election.

Debating possible amendments to the electoral law in parliament, a day before dissolution, the United Party for National Development legislator Request Muntanga, questioned the rationale behind the decision.

“The referee (Electoral Commission of Zambia) is already creating uneasiness among players,” Mr Muntanga said during a session attended by Vice-President Inonge Wina.

“I want to see where there is a regulation that says no cell phone [in election centres].”

Other MPs called for more autonomy to be granted to the electoral body that has conducted relatively successful polls in the past. 

Zambia has held consistent elections since gaining independence from Britain in 1964.

The power transitions have been smooth.

The opposition was also in a tussle with the commission over its Dubai-based printer for this year’s ballot papers.

They have raised fears about the company’s track record, but ECZ has jumped to the firm’s defence.

President Edgar Lungu was elected to replace the late Michael Sata in January 2015.

He emerged winner over Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who he will face in an election deemed a two-horse race.

It will be Mr Hichilema’s fifth attempt at the presidency.

Meanwhile, the Zambian government said yesterday that it will not amend a controversial law that governs public gatherings.

Stakeholders in the southern African nation have been calling for the amendment of the Public Order Act, with opposition political parties accusing the ruling party of using it to quell opposition gatherings and processions.

The police have also been blamed for unfairly applying the law.

But Minister of Home Affairs Davies Mwila said the law will not be amended because the submissions received from stakeholders on its amendment have not been adequate to bring about substantive changes.

He said in a ministerial statement in parliament that the law will remain as it has been but noted that this should not be misconstrued to mean that the government has failed to review it.