Everyone who has an interest or influence in the upcoming election is a stakeholder in your election administration process. In most elections, candidates, the old board of directors, honorary members, sponsors, friends or media representatives are stakeholders.
Voters are persons eligible to vote in an election. The role of voters is to choose representatives by casting ballots in an election. Voters should be Zambian citizens, aged 18 and above, in possession of a green National Registration Card and a Voter’s Card. In order to vote, they must be registered in the polling station appearing on their Voters’ Card. They must also appear in the Register of Voters for that particular polling station.
Political parties seek political power by participating in elections and campaigning for support from voters. Political parties and candidates are expected to adhere to all the electoral procedures and laws, including the Electoral Code of Conduct (ECC) which they should subscribe to through the Declaration of Compliance to the Electoral Code of Conduct. During an election, each political party or candidate must ensure that:
An Election Agent represents the interests of a candidate in a district/constituency/ward whose name should be submitted to the Commission for its records.
A polling agent represents the interests of a candidate in a polling station/stream during an election. A candidate or an election agent may appoint two polling agents for each polling station/stream in a district/constituency/ward in which the candidate is contesting an election. A candidate or election agent should prepare and submit to the Returning Officer a list of polling agents appointed at least four days before the polling day. The polling agents must take oath/affirmation. Only one polling agent is allowed in each polling station/stream at any particular time. A copy of the oath/affirmation should be submitted to the Commission for its records.
The role of the media in elections is to publicize all electoral activities and give access and fair coverage to participating political parties and candidates. By so doing, the media helps the electorate to make informed choices. The media should also provide news of the whole electoral process.
Note: For the purpose of covering electoral activities such as nominations, voting, counting and totaling of votes, media personnel should be accredited.
Uniformed staff provides security for voters, election staff and materials at a nomination center, polling station and totaling center. They ensure that there is law and order during any electoral activity. At the nomination and totaling center, uniformed staff are answerable to the Returning Officer while at the polling station they are answerable to the Presiding Officer. They also accompany the Presiding Officers with election materials to the totaling Centre.
Additionally, the role of the police is to maintain law and order at campaign meetings and processions.
The role of monitors and observers is to gather, examine and evaluate information relating to the electoral process. During an electoral activity, a monitor plays an active role by intervening and bringing to the attention of the Presiding Officer, Returning Officer or any senior electoral official matters of concern that may arise.
Observers play a passive role and are concerned with making an informed judgment on the credibility, legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process. An observer/monitor may inform the Commission in writing of any observed electoral malpractices.
Their role is to maintain a corruption free electoral process.
Note: The ECZ engages stakeholders in various consultative processes and keep them informed on electoral matters.
They provide financial and technical support for the conduct of election and capacity building of the Commission.
The role of traditional leaders is to promote conditions conducive to the conduct of credible elections and to ensure that traditional leaders, do not exert undue influence on their subjects to support a particular political party or candidate in accordance with the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The role of traditional leaders is to promote conditions conducive to the conduct of credible elections and to ensure that traditional leaders, do not exert undue influence on their subjects to support a particular political party or candidate in accordance with the Electoral Code of Conduct.
