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Section 8 Part 1 of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations, 2016 provides for the approval and registration of political party symbols by the Chief Electoral Officer. Political parties are required to apply for registration of political party symbols as follows:
- The Secretary General or Leader of a political party applies in writing to the Chief Electoral Officer for registration of a political party symbol to be used by candidates who will be supported by that party in an election.
- The application letter should indicate the name, physical address of the political party as well as the contact details of the party’s Secretary General or Leader.
- The Chief Electoral Officer will inform the Party, through its Secretary/Leader, ascertain the suitability of a symbol to be used in an election as per legal requirements.
- The proposed symbol will only be registered (approved for use) upon submission of a soft copy of the symbol and a Certificate of Registration of the political party from the Registrar of Societies.
In line with the provisions of Section 8 (4), the following shall not be registered or used as symbols –
- the Armoria Ensigns or the National Flag of Zambia;
- any device or emblem which, in the opinion of the Chief Electoral Officer, is normally associated with any tribe or religion or the regalia of a chief;
- any symbol or part of a symbol which, under the provisions of this regulation, is currently registered in respect of any political party or candidate;
- any symbol which is not distinctive from any other registered symbol,
- any symbol the use of which may, in the opinion of the Chief Electoral Officer, be offensive or objectionable.
The Chief Electoral Officer shall not register a symbol under this regulation in respect of any political party or candidate until any other symbol registered in respect of such party or such candidate is cancelled.