By Isaac Zulu
There must be transparency in the appointment of the chief electoral officer at the Electoral Commission of Zambia, says Governance, Elections Advocacy and Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Zambia programmes officer Gideon Musonda.
In an interview, Musonda said that the identification and recruitment of the substantive chief executive officer at the Electoral Commission of Zambia should be transparent and meritorious.
“If they feel that the current acting chief executive officer is qualified enough, let them go ahead and confirm that person. But we also wish to remind the appointing authority that the Electoral Commission of Zambia is structured in a a way that guarantees transparency and accountability in the identification of an individual who should take up the mantle at the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Transparency should prevail,” said Musonda.
He said that the continued delay to appoint a substantive chief executive officer at the electoral body has the potential to erode public confidence in the ECZ, which he said would make it difficult for it to execute its mandate of managing elections in an effective and efficient manner.
“We cannot continue on this trajectory where have an acting chief executive at the Electoral Commission of Zambia in the same acting position,” said Musonda. “This continued vacancy in the office of the chief executive officer at the Electoral Commission of Zambia is a source of concern, as it is making it difficult for the acting chief executive officer to make decisions that can easily be effected.”
