Maravi

British envoy backs PVT

British envoy backs PVT
By Bright Mukwasa
Sat 30 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter has backed the use of parallel vote tabulation (PVT) in this year’s elections, saying the system could legitimise the election results.

Speaking to journalists during the week, High Commissioner Carter said the move must be allowed as it bore the potential to avoid violence and discontent. “Parallel vote tabulation could ensure results are accepted.

Parallel vote tabulation worked well in 2006, worked well in 2008, why not this year?” High Commissioner Carter asked. High Commissioner Carter said his government would support the capacity of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to deliver a fair, free and transparent poll.

He said in that regard, his government had decided to contribute in various areas in a bid to buttress the growth of democracy in Zambia. “We are contributing something in the range of US $10 million for all the measures aimed at improving democracy in Zambia.

It’s a huge sum of money,” High Commissioner Carter. He expected this year’s election to be violent-free. “I think from the international perspective any election should be free of violence and we want to make sure the election result is accepted by all,” High Commissioner Carter said. He said his government was working closely to train stakeholders of the electoral process.

High Commissioner Carter’s support follows a recent position by US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella also supporting the PVT which drew sharp reactions from the Zambian government who through President Rupiah Banda banned the electoral monitoring system and branded it as illegal.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, VOTERIGGING

posted by MrK @ 11:22 AM