Maravi

It’s wrong for MMD cadres to camp in polling stations – ECZ

It’s wrong for MMD cadres to camp in polling stations – ECZ
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 27 Apr. 2010, 03:50 CAT

IT is wrong for the MMD cadres to camp in polling stations, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) public relations manager Chris Akufuna said yesterday.

Commenting on the MMD cadres who have camped in polling stations in Mufumbwe, a move which has contributed towards the violence in the area, Akufuna said ECZ had received reports through their district electoral officer, a Mr Kamalondo, that MMD cadres had camped in some polling stations.

“He Kamalondo clarified that yes there was a case of that, and they resolved it. He assured me that they had resolved it, yes, and it is definitely very wrong to camp in polling station. And it means that they removed them. He mentioned the two polling stations, and I think it is in an area called Lalafuta and Kamiminzeke,” Akufuna said. “I am talking of last week Thursday, Friday when I was speaking with him. He assured me that they had moved.”

Akufuna said it was unfortunate if the MMD cadres were still camped in the polling stations.

“As you know the district electoral officer, who is the council secretary is our officer there, and perhaps he could be in a better position to give you the actual situation on the ground. But what I am telling you is what he told us and how he has dealt with it,” Akufuna said. “And like the Code of Conduct provides, it’s wrong to camp in the polling stations.”

On assertions that the district conflict management committees were toothless, Akufuna said all the stakeholders, ECZ, political parties and other players agreed to formulate the Code of Conduct.

He said the ECZ could only intervene in the event that the district committees failed to handle the matters.

Akufuna said the violence in Mufumbwe was unnecessary and unfortunate.
He said there were areas in the electoral code which needed strengthening while others should be revisited.

“So the Commission is aware of the sentiments by stakeholders in as far as the Code of Conduct is concerned, especially the area of enforcement of the Code of Conduct, and indeed the duties of the parties and the duties of the Commission, duties of the media, duties of Zambia police. All these are areas that need to be looked at,” said Akufuna.

“But of course the biggest challenge has been more in terms of enforcement of the Code of Conduct. But that is why I am saying this is a matter that we have noted, and indeed the Commission is still consulting with stakeholders in terms of the way forward. All the stakeholders have a role to play here, and the Commission will play its role.”

There have been complaints from the UPND over MMD cadres that have camped in basic schools that are also used as polling stations in Mufumbwe.

Labels: CADRES, CHRIS AKAFUNA, ECZ, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 3:10 PM