By Isaac Zulu
Activist Brebner Changala has questioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ) ‘s desire to establish the Electoral Advisory Body at the Commission.
Changala, in an interview with Daily Revelation said that the establishment of the Electoral Advisory Body at ECZ is likely to compromise the electoral process at the body mandated to oversee and manage elections in the country.
He said it is unusual for the UPND administration to introduce a subsidiary body at the Electoral Commission of Zambia, which he said has no legal backing.
Changala wondered which Article or legal provision in the Electoral Commission of Zambia Act that is being used to establish the Electoral Advisory Body.
“Which legal provision within the Electoral Commission of Zambia Act allows them to start establishing some subsidiary bodies in the name of Electoral Advisory Body at the Electoral Commission of Zambia? What criteria was used to arrive at the selection of the Electoral Advisory Body? If there was a consultative meeting over the matter, who was consulted? How come electoral stakeholders were not engaged? From where I stand, I think that there has been lack of constructive engangement over this matter. Clearly, the establishment of the Electoral Advisory Body at the Electoral Commission of Zambia lacks legitimacy and should not be condoned by majority right thinking citizens in the country. The introduction of the Electoral Advisory Body at the Electoral Commission of Zambia, will clearly; compromise the independence, professionalism and integrity of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, because the criteria involved in these appointments are not clear,” said Changala.
