Training for District Election Staff in Preparation for By-Elections

The Commission has prescribed Thursday 26th July, 2018 as the date on which to hold the Mayoral elections in Lusaka and Council Chairpersons’ elections in Chilanga, Chasefu, Chipangali, Kasenengwa, Lumezi, Lusangazi and Chifunabuli districts. The Commission will on the same date hold by-elections in Chachacha, Lwambazi, Kangwena, Kanongesha, Kanyama and Looma wards.

Commission in ensuring that District Electoral Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and District Election Trainers are provided with the requisite skills and tooling ahead of the upcoming by-elections is conducting training for the District Election Staff which began on Thursday 14th June, 2018 and will be completed on Wednesday 27th June, 2018 at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka. About 160 election Staff are in attendance to participate in the intensive training programme.

The Mayoral and Council Chairpersons’ elections have been necessitated following the death of Lusaka Mayor, Mr. Wilson Chisala Kalumba and the death of Chilanga Council Chairperson Mrs, Maria Malila and the declaration of Chasefu, Chipangali, Kasenengwa, Lumezi, Lusangazi and Chifunabuli as districts by the President of the Republic of Zambia.

The By-elections in the six (6) wards have been necessitated by resignations and deaths of Councillors in the named wards.

Speaking when she opened the training workshop, Director Electoral Operations Ms. Chana Kaunda-Zambezi said that the ECZ was grateful grateful that subject to the Commission’s supervision and direction, District Election Staff, coordinate and supervise the conduct of elections in Districts.

“It is important that all officers involved at all polling stations understand their roles in order to conduct elections that meet the expectations of the Zambian people. It is for this purpose that this training plays a critical role in ensuring professionalism in the conduct of elections in Zambia” said Ms. Zambezi.

And Director Finance at ECZ Mr. Elias Fulo said that The Commission is confident that the planned polls will be professionally conducted and fiscal management will be stringent.

“The Commission expects all staff to follow the prescribed procedures for management of finances during the conduct of elections said Mr. Fulo who added that adherence to the systems of financial administration will ensure that there is no financial mismanagement.
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