interim statement
EISA Regional Observer Mission to the Zambia 2006 Tripartite Elections 28 September 2006 (continued)
3.3 Civic and Voter Education
The mission noted that electoral stakeholders in Zambia recognised the need for and commitment to a nationwide programme of voter education for the elections. This was shown through the multi-sectoral Voter Education Committee at various levels. The Committee was established by and coordinated by the ECZ. The mission is satisfied that voters received enough information about the voting procedures to enable them to cast their votes.
The mission also commends efforts made by the ECZ and CSOs to educate voters on how to assess candidates and potential leaders. However whilst the content was good, we note that these efforts may have been insufficient given that a sizeable number of voters were uncertain of the procedures.
3.4 Processing of Voters
The processing of voters was somewhat slow caused by all the procedures that had to be followed before voters could receive their ballot papers. At stations in some urban areas, election personnel struggled to manage the large number of voters who arrived at the stations in the morning. In addition multiple streams resulted in some degree of confusing for voters who did not know which stream to vote in, a situation exacerbated by inadequate numbers of ushers in the stations where the voting population was large.
The mission recommends that in future, more ushers should be given to those stations with large groups of voters. It would be useful to simplify as much as possible the voting procedures so that voters can be processed in time.
3.5 Counting and Compilation
Voting station staff displayed a great deal of patience and commitment to the process as they continued the process of counting. However there was inconsistent application of counting procedures. At some polling stations the ballot papers from different streams were mixed before counting whilst at others, counting was carried out by stream. In addition in some stations, there was no reconciliation of ballot papers. Furthermore, there were no tally sheets available at the polling station where members of the mission witnessed counting (Ndola Central, Chipata and Solwezi). The mission recommends that reconciliation of ballots be conducted prior to the counting.
3.6 Electoral Staff Training
On the whole the electoral staff appeared to be well trained in terms of managing the voting process and were able to manage the movement of voters and casting of the ballots. However some staff appeared less confident about the counting procedures and the resulting administrative process.
The Mission recommends that the training given to staff for the counting process be strengthened in order to familiarise them fully with the procedures.
3.7 Gender Representation
The electoral process did not meet the gender parity required by the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development and which is necessary to increase the participation of women in the political process. The Mission recommends that corrective measures such as appropriate reform and quotas for women be applied by political parties in order to achieve gender parity.
4 Conclusion
At the time of the compilation of this statement, the tabulation and announcement of results are in progress. Therefore our conclusion on the conduct of these elections is restricted to the period of our observation up to this day (30 September 2006). On the basis of its observation thus far and using the guidelines enshrined in the PEMMO, the EISA Election Observer Mission concludes that the Tripartite Elections held on 28 September 2006 in Zambia were conducted in a manner that allowed the people of Zambia to express their democratic choice. It is the hope of the mission that the tabulation and announcement of the final results will be conducted in the same manner as the preceding stages so that the electoral outcome can reflect the will of the Zambian voters.
Abel Leshele Thoahlane
Mission Leader
Contacts
Belinda Musanhu +260 99127593
Lucky Sichula +260 97864038