Tonse seeks action on poll agents  

THE NRPUP and Tonse Alliance have urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to urgently resolve concerns surrounding the accreditation of polling agents, warning that delays could affect confidence in the 13 August general elections.

Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, the alliance’s Chairperson for Elections and Campaigns, Japhen Mwakalombe, questioned the commission’s online accreditation system and called for the immediate commencement of physical accreditation for polling agents.

Mr Mwakalombe said the alliance was concerned that delays in the accreditation process could undermine the credibility and transparency of the elections.

He also claimed that the alliance had written to the ECZ on the matter but had not received a response.

The alliance further alleged that there were attempts to influence the management of elections in Northern Province through the recruitment of civil servants perceived to be aligned with the ruling UPND as election officials.

Mr Mwakalombe said the alliance would closely monitor the electoral process and urged the commission to ensure that all electoral procedures are conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.

He also called on the Zambia Police Service to enforce the law fairly by addressing incidents of political violence and investigating allegations of partisan conduct involving some civil servants.

The alliance further appealed for a level playing field, saying all political parties should be allowed to campaign freely without intimidation or interference.

As of press time, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Zambia Police Service and the UPND had not responded to the allegations made by the alliance.-MILLENNIUM TV