By Daily Revelation Reporter
The Electoral Commission of Zambia is working with a budget of over K13 million for the Kabwata parliamentary by-elections, part of which has been wasted on account of the irresponsible withdraw of UPP candidate Francis Libanda from the Kabwata race.
Responding to Daily Revelation on how much the commission has wasted in public money following the cancellation of the Kabwata by-elections after Libanda pulled away from the race, after the nominations had been done plus the printing and transportation of ballot papers and other costs, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga stated that “The Commission has an aggregate budget of K 13,009,600.53 for the conduct of the 20th January 2022 by- elections in Kabwata Parliamentary, and Sokontwe and Liangati Ward by-elections. This funding covers activities from nominations to polls.”
Luhanga referred to the comprehensive statement issued by the chief electoral officer Patrick Nshindano over the commission’s urge against the same happening in future and wasting more public resources in the process.
In the statement, Nshindano said “The resignation of Mr Libanda comes with unwarranted costs as the already printed ballot papers are a cost that needs to be paid for in addition to other electoral activity costs.”
“Political parties are further called upon to thoroughly scrutinise candidates they intend to field in any election to avoid a waste of resources and other inconveniences caused to the Commission, Political Parties and other stakeholders,” said Nshindano. “With the foregoing, stakeholders may note that there is an urgent need to review the electoral laws to enhance the integrity of the electoral process and safeguard scarce public resources that could have otherwise been used for other developmental programmes. The Commission working with other stakeholders will soon embark on a thorough review of the electoral laws in order to enhance the electoral process.”
