Maravi

Fr Kaliminwa urges Zambia to register as voters

Fr Kaliminwa urges Zambia to register as voters
By Chibaula Silwamba
Sat 02 Oct. 2010, 04:01 CAT

KASAMA Diocese Catholic priest Fr Nicholas Kaliminwa yesterday advised Zambians to register as voters en masse and not get tired of voting and participating in governance.

Commenting on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s extension of the mobile voter registration exercise for 72 days from September 19 to November 30, 2010, Fr Kaliminwa said people seemed to have lost confidence in governance hence the low turnout of people registering as voters.

“From my observation and interaction with people, it’s like people are not having hope in the ruling party and the opposition because of the infighting and insults and people are not seeing peace at the end of the tunnel, I think that is what has created this voter registration apathy. The other point is the challenges in acquiring National Registration Cards especially in rural areas,” said Fr Kaliminwa, who is Kasama Caritas director.

“But I want to urge Zambians that they shouldn’t get tired of doing what is right, even the Bible says so. It’s important to get involved in governance and register as voters. They shouldn’t lose hope.”

The ECZ on September 22 announced that the mobile voter registration exercise that started on June 21, 2010 had been extended to meet the Commission’s targeted number of 2.5 million new applicants.

“It was also observed that most people did not have Green National Registration cards which are a pre-requisite for one to qualify to register as a voter,” stated Cris Akufuna, ECZ spokesperson.

“During the extended period of registration of voters, the Commission will work with the Department of National Registration (DNR) to ensure that more people are issued with NRCs to enable them register as voters.”

Labels: NICHOLAS KALIMINWA, VOTER REGISTRATION

posted by MrK @ 8:41 AM