Are you a Monitor or an Observer?
Accreditation
Elections in Zambia are open to observation and monitoring by international and local organisations respectively. Accreditation is the authority granted to stakeholders by the Commission to enter a nomination centre, polling station or totalling centre to observe the proceedings. Stakeholders should apply for accreditation to the Commission and they shall be issued with identity cards which they should display at all times when in the nomination centre, polling station or totalling centre.
Any person who wants to act as a monitor or observer during the electoral process must be accredited by the Commission and subscribe to the Electoral Code of Conduct through the Declaration of Compliance by Monitors and Observers Form (ECC2).
The Commission shall provide the Monitors and Observers with accreditation cards and their respective organisations may provide them with the necessary identification.
After the declaration of results of an election, monitors and observers shall hand over to the Commission any identification they had been issued with. Validity of accreditation expires with declaration of results.
The Commission may revoke the accreditation of any monitor or observer who contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Monitors
Monitors are drawn from the local civil society. Monitoring is information gathering examination and evaluation of the electoral process. A monitor may bring to the attention of the Presiding or Returning Officer or a member of the Commission any discrepancies that may arise during the conduct of an election.
Observers
Observers are drawn from the international community. Observation is information gathering and / or on sight fact finding and making an informed judgement about the credibility, legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process. An observer may not bring to the attention of the Presiding, Returning Officer or a member of the Commission any discrepancies that may arise during the conduct of an election. However an Observer may inform the Commission in writing of any discrepancies during the conduct of an election.