interim statement
EISA Regional Observer Mission to the Zambia 2006 Tripartite Elections 28 September 2006 (continued)

2.9 The Poll

The Mission noted with satisfaction the high voter turnout. In addition the Mission observed that the polling arrangements were of such a nature as to allow the participation of all registered voters. Generally speaking, polling officials conducted themselves in an efficient manner and endeavoured to follow the opening, closing and counting procedures as provided in the law. Voters turned out in large numbers and waited peacefully to cast their votes. There was a discernible climate of tolerance and general enthusiasm for the process. The high turnout will assist in giving credibility to the process, thereby strengthening the legitimacy of elected leaders.

The Mission noted a positive and calm police presence at almost all the polling centres visited. It found a good level of cooperation between police and ECZ officials. No incidence of intervention of the military was observed.

2.9.1 Polling Stations and Election Materials
The Mission noted that the ECZ established polling stations with polling streams throughout Zambia allowing for up to 500 voters per stream. The Mission found the number of polling stations to be adequate and accessible enough to ensure that as many eligible voters as possible cast their votes. It was also noted that most polling stations were located in neutral places such as schools and church centres and were further secured by unarmed police officers. In order to prevent lengthy queues some of the stations provided additional stations in the grounds. In addition where physical structures were not available, stations were set up in open places.
The polling station layout and operations were not without some imperfections. These include the manner in which the ballot booths were placed in the voting station, voting by more than one stream in one room (in Lusaka, Livingstone, Chipata, Ndola Central and Solwezi) and late arrival of election materials in some polling stations (i.e. Chipata). In polling stations with a large number of voters and multiple streams, voters were confused about which stream to vote in. However the Mission is of the view that these imperfections were not of a nature to jeopardise the outcome of the process, or to put in doubt its sincerity and integrity.
In most polling stations, voting began at 6:00 am. However in some stations, voting materials arrived late which resulted in some stations opening late. However where voting commenced late the stations remained for the scheduled 12 hours. In general polling materials were available and in adequate numbers with the exception of counting forms in some stations (i.e. Ndola Central).

2.9.2 Ballot papers and Ballot Boxes
The Mission noted that ballot boxes were transparent which promoted confidence of voters in the process. Colour coding of the different elections made it easy for voters to properly cast their ballots in the correct boxes which made counting easier. This was shown in the few misplaced ballot papers during the counting.

2.10 The Counting and Tabulation Process

2.10.1 Counting at Polling Stations
Counting of ballots took place at the polling stations, an improvement on the previous when counting was done at counting centres which resulted in the delay of the process as counting could not commence until all ballot boxes had arrived at the counting centre. In 2006 the system was designed to quicken the process as only the results sheet needed to be transmitted to a centralised centre. Counting for the Presidential, National Assembly and Local Government elections began immediately after the closure of the individual polling streams. This task was performed by the electoral staff who had been involved in the voting process. Counting was performed by electoral staff in the presence of party agents, candidates' representatives, monitors and observers.
The Mission noted that the counting process was generally conducted in an open and transparent manner ensuring that all those present had a clear view of the marked ballot paper. At the end of the counting, however, counting forms were not available in all stations and in some stations arrived late at the polling station. Presiding Officers were obliged to complete the forms at the constituency totalling centres which resulted in some confusion and delays in the compilation process.