Voter Education Department Conducts Post-Election Review

The Voter Education Department held a Post-Election Review Workshop between 1st February, 2017 and 14th February, 2017 at Mika Hotel in Lusaka to review Voter Education activities for the 11th August, 2016 General Elections and Referendum.

Participants from across the country who were invited to attend the UNDP supported review workshop included members of District Voter Education Committees DVECs, members of the Zambia Association of Persons with Disabilities ZAPID and members of the UNAMA network –a network of theatre groups from across Zambia who conducted voter education through theatre performances prior to the 2016 elections.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Director Voter Education, Mrs. Jocelyn Mubita encouraged participants to speak freely, “This review is an opportunity for us to learn and evaluate what went well and what didn’t go well. Which areas can we improve on for future elections”, she further said that the review workshop’s recommendations would map a way forward for the department and the Commission.

UNDP programme Manager for the United Nations support Programme to elections in Zambia Mr. Richard Cox also attended the workshop. Mr. Cox said that the review workshop while reviewing the elections should consider that we are entering a new election cycle and that what emerges from the discussions will be a close scrutiny of the elections process in Zambia. “what you come up with will contribute to ECZ strategy for the next five years and could set the road map for future interventions” Mr. Cox said.

The fourteen day workshop was conducted as a preparatory phase to inform the approach to be used when Voter Education Department Staff travel to Provincial Centres across Zambia for further reviews with Voter Education Facilitators who were closely involved in the work on the ground during the voter education phase of the 2016 General Elections and Referendum.

The reviews will inform the departmental report on activities conducted during the 2016 General Elections and Referendum.

Video: UNDP Election Support Programme Coordinator, Mr. Richard Cox speaking at ECZ Voter Education Review Workshop at Mika Hotel Lusaka