Group urges inclusive participation to save ECZ delimitation process from political manipulation

The Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) has called for broad and inclusive participation in the ongoing delimitation consultative process being conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). CLRI Executive Director, Mundia Hakoola, said inclusive participation was essential to ensuring that the process remained transparent, accountable and grounded in constitutional principles and objective demographic data. He said this would help ensure the exercise was free from perceptions or risks of political manipulation and remained legitimate and trusted by citizens.

“CLRI welcomes the commencement of the delimitation consultative process and commends the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for taking steps to engage the public on the proposed delimitation of constituencies and wards,” Hakoola said. He also stressed the need for broad and meaningful participation from civil society, political parties, faith-based organizations, traditional leaders, professional associations, academia, youth and women’s groups, persons with disabilities and other non-state actors. “CLRI further urges political parties and all stakeholders to engage constructively and peacefully throughout the consultation period,” he said.

The institute also urged the ECZ to ensure consultative meetings were widely publicised, accessible and inclusive, particularly for rural communities and historically marginalised groups. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.