Women's Movement Fears Voter Apathy In Zambia's Presidential Poll

By Paul Shalala

Women at a recent Gender Conference 

A survey in 77 districts across Zambia has shown that several people, mostly women and children, will be defranchised due to their failure to replace their voters cards.

The survey, which was commissioned by the Zambia National Women's Lobby, indicates that most people in rural areas were told to replace their voters cards in constitituencies were they initially registered in 2010.

"Some women also reported that there was also not much publicity on the exercise and some people, especially in rural areas, were not aware that the process was being done," read part of the report.

Below is a statement from the organisation:

PRESS STATEMENT

ZNWL CALLS ON ECZ TO IMPLEMENT THE

 CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

For immediate release                                                        15^th January 2015

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby has observed that many eligible voters will be disenfranchised in the January 20^th presidential election by the narrow criteria, and the short period of time allocated for the replacement of voters’ cards.

A survey conducted in 77 constituencies by the Zambia National Women’s Lobby revealed that some people, especially women, failed to have their voters cards replaced because they were advised to have their cards replaced in districts where they originally registered and most of them had no resources to travel. Other women, especially in rural areas, said they were hampered by the rains, as they were either busy cultivating or could not have access to the centres due to the heavy rains. The people also cited the challenge of the replacement centres being few as some people in far flung areas were unable to access them. Some women also reported that there was also not much publicity on the exercise and some people, especially in rural areas, were not aware that the process was being done.

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby is of the view that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) could have begun the voters’ replacement exercise much earlier to allow as many citizens as possible to replace their voters’ cards. The ECZ should also have  done a lot of publicity on the process, especially in rural parts of the country.

We note from the information released by the ECZ that from the number of voters who have managed to replace their cards, only 18,553 women were successful as opposed to 33,545 men. This is despite women being the majority voters in Zambia. Such a discrepancy calls for an investigation into why fewer women as compared to men were not able or not willing to have their cards replaced so that they could take up their right to vote. The women of Zambia deserve an equal and equitable share and participation in the electoral process of Zambia.

After this election, we urge the ECZ to urgently consider implementing the continuous voter registration and replacement of voters’ cards as stipulated in the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006. This is in order to ensure that all Zambians are able to fully exercise their democratic right of voting during all future elections.

Meanwhile, Zambia National Women’s Lobby calls upon all eligible voters, especially women, to turn up enmasse and vote in this election on the 20^th January. This is a very important election to the nation and should not be shunned by any eligible voter.

We also urge political party leaders in the country to counsel their political party members to avoid any acts of violence as the country prepares to vote on 20^th January.

Zambia is renowned as one of Africa’s strongest democracies and it is our hope that this election is conducted in a free and fair manner.  We call upon unsuccessful political party leaders to concede defeat gracefully while remaining committed to the development of Zambia.

JULIET KAIRA CHIBUTA (MS)

ZAMBIA NATIONAL WOMEN’S LOBBY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR