TRAINING OF DISTRICT ELECTION STAFF AHEAD OF 24th APRIL, 2018 BY-ELECTIONS

The Commission conducted an intensive five (5) day training workshop for District Election Staff from 16th to 20th March, 2018 at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka in preparation for by-elections which are taking place in April, 2018.

Officially opening the workshop, Director Electoral Operations Ms. Chana Kaunda Zambezi said that the training is paramount for the Commission in ensuring that District Electoral Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and District Election Trainers are provided with the requisite skills and tools ahead of the upcoming by-elections.

The Commission has prescribed Tuesday, 24th April, 2018 as the date on which to conduct sixteen (16) Local Government by-elections in Luapula, Kansuswa, Chiweza, Chiwuyu, Ntumbachushi, Munwa, Nampundwe, Mikunku, Kalebe, Kakoma, Kanongo, Mushima, Kalilele, Mudyanyama, Mwanza East and Lealui Lower wards.

The by-elections in the 16 wards are as a result of convictions, resignations, and deaths of incumbent councillors.

Part of the training included use of Registration Kits which are used by the Commission to conduct elections.

Speaking to the Weekly about training of officers in the use of the Registration Kits, Database Administrator, Mr. Chipakata Chulu said that Registration Kits are portable tools used for Voter Registration, Nomination, Accreditation and Results Transmission during the conduct of elections.

“The Registration Kit contains a laptop loaded with voter registration software, a finger-print reader to verify the authenticity of the user of the kit, a printer which is used to print out forms, a camera to photograph citizens who are having their details registered and a battery to power the electronic devices within the kit in regions where there may be no electricity,” Mr. Chulu explained.

And Principle Electoral Officer for Policy and Procedure Mr. Steve Nyondo said that the training was successfully carried out with District Election Staff fully prepared to carry out their functions during the forthcoming by-elections.