Opinion: Attention to Shift to ECZ By Traceford Mutuma – Gaborone Allow me to write an open letter to the staff at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and in particular to our madam Ms Irene Mambilima a daughter of the soil in her capacity as the chairperson on the important role the commission will play in the pending presidential by elections. The responsibility that the ECZ shoulders today is understandably massive and deserves the support of all Zambians of all walks of life and in particular all political parties. Sooner or later after political parties define their contesting presidential aspirants the focus of the nation will be on the ECZ and in particular the chairperson of the commission to deliver us another credible election which will be free and fair. It’s the anticipation of every Zambian that the ECZ will remain sober, vigilant and will act responsibly in these trying moments to offer Zambians credible elections free from manipulation and any forms of interference. This is the constitutional burden that the ECZ now shoulders for the nation in the wake of passing of our beloved President, Michael Chilufya Sata. As we witness various political groupings organize, fight amongst themselves and realign their strategies for the now vacant seat of the President of Zambia, its only the ECZ that will be the ultimate “people’s filter” on behalf of the 13 million plus Zambians so that only a dignified political party endorsed by the majority of Zambians governs our great nation beyond January 2015. Zambians have an understandable fear that the desperation for governance which is unfolding in various political parties will not affect or contaminate the “high ground” the ECZ has maintained in past elections even in the face of political provocations. It’s commendable to note that ECZ has maintained professionalism in the organization of past elections even in very difficult circumstances when political parties have in the past bayed for their blood. It’s the hope of every Zambian that the ECZ will continue to maintain calm and level-headedness as they act as the last filter for the Zambian voter. Political parties should also give the ECZ enough space, confidence and support in carrying out this understandably pressure task of organizing elections within 90 days from passing on of a seating President. Zambians don’t mind the politicking, back stabbings and political fights that going on in various party organizations or are we worried by the traditional inter-party fights as long as we know the ECZ will safe guard the final verdict of our people who will ultimately elect the 6th president of Zambia through a credibly organized election. The ECZ and Madam Mambilima are indeed carrying the hopes of millions of Zambians who will vote for a party that will deliver on their aspirations for a better Zambia. A political party that will put medicine on the shelves for sick, educate the nation and keep the nation united in hope. zambiareports/2014/11/04/opinion-attention-shift-ecz/
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:31:53 +0000