ECZ Recognises Gaps In Constitution and Electoral Process Act That Need Addressing

By Staff Reporter 

The Electoral Commission of Zambia recognises that there are other provisions in the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act that need to be addressed in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the electoral process. 

ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis says Campaign Period Section 2 of the Electoral Process Act defines campaign period to mean a period of three months before the holding of an election, whereas Article 81 provides that Parliament shall stand dissolved ninety days before the holding of the next general election. 

Addressing the media in Lusaka, Mrs Zalomis concluded that Section 2 of the Electoral Process Act therefore creates an ambiguity in the case of a general election as campaigns are expected to commence before Parliament dissolves in line with Article 81. 

She says these and many other gaps have been identified in the Constitution and other 9 electoral laws and therefore has appointed the Electoral Reform Technical Committee-ERTC to spearhead this process. 

Mrs Mwangala has since encouraged the general public  and other stakeholders in the electoral process to take advantage this period in which the ERTC is receiving submissions to make their proposals on amendments to the electoral laws.