2nd July, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEDIA RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (For Immediate release)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Electoral Commission of Zambia has noted with dismay the illegal\nrecording of telephone conversations by some political party leaders whenever\nthey engage Members and staff of the Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Commission has received reports of these illegal telephone recordings,\nsome of which have been verified while others are still under investigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Electoral Code of Conduct mandates the Commission to engage\npolitical party representatives regularly and this is done through various\nmeans including the use of phones especially now that COVID-19 cases are on the\nincrease in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Commission operates an open door policy where Members\nand staff alike interact with various stakeholders in order to provide effective\nelectoral services in an impartial manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, the Commission should not be given any reason to be hesitant\nto engage or attend to the needs of political parties through telephone\nconversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Arising from this, the Commission would like to categorically state that\nit will not condone this vice. The public must know that the practice of\nillegal recording does not only breed mistrust and injure the persons involved,\nit is also criminal and the Commission will not hesitate to report such matters\nto the relevant law enforcement agencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Political parties are reminded that there are laws that govern the\nrecording of telephone calls or indeed in-person conversations and these laws provide\nguidance on what is permissible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n