LAZ Questions Nationwide Suspension Of Election Results

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has raised serious concern over the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to suspend the counting and announcement of election results nationwide following reported incidents of violence in some districts.

Speaking during a press briefing this afternoon, LAZ President Arnold Kaluba said while the association recognizes the constitutional mandate of the ECZ to administer and supervise elections, the Commission’s powers must be exercised within the confines of the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act, and in accordance with the principles of legality, necessity, rationality and proportionality.

LAZ  has condemned acts of electoral violence, including attacks on polling officials and reported theft of marked ballot papers, and has called on the Zambia Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies to secure affected polling stations and counting centres.

Mr. Kaluba has, however, questioned whether incidents of violence in particular districts provide sufficient justification for suspending counting and announcement of results across the entire country, including areas where voting and counting have proceeded without disruption.