… As new ECZ CEO denies being fired for trying to rig elections for UPND
By Patson Chilemba and Mubanga Mubanga
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis says people must focus on the capability of ECZ commissioners rather than their tribal inclinations, and wondered whether the same people raising issues also interrogated the composition of the previous leadership at the commission.
And new chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro said as opposed to assertions that he was fired for trying to manipulate elections in favour of UPND in 2016, he resigned from the commission in 2017.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Zaloumis said the value people were adding to the commission is what should be more pronounced and not their tribe.
“You know we found three commissioners there. You know that we are five commissioners? The two new ones are commissioner Chipenzi and myself. So I don’t know how the three were chose. They were not chose by UPND because these were from previous leadership, and they are in the majority. So I don’t know how tribal,” Zaloumis said. “And also it’s a pity because what they should be looking at is what are people doing? What are they adding value to the electoral process? And I don’t think anyone of us can say we haven’t gained experience by the political process, electoral process you know, governance process. So I don’t know if you look at the previous leadership of the Electoral Commission can they interrogate that? Can it be interrogated by the same people?”
She said the criticism would not stop the commission from executing the mandate for the rest of Zambia.
“No tribal. It’s for everybody in Zambia, including yourself,” Zaloumis said.
The Opposition in the country has charged that the composition of commissioners at the ECZ is aligned towards UPND and regionally tilted towards the Zambezi region, and that it was mainly officials aligned towards that region who have been retained from the previous PF administration.
The opposition has also been apprehensive on the appointment of Kasaro, accusing him of being compromised, and asserting that he was fired for trying to manipulate elections in favour of UPND in 2016.
Asked on the opposition fears and that they have no trust in him managing elections in the country, Kasaro described assertions against him that he was fired as totally wrong.
“I resigned from the commission in 2017. In terms of my integrity, I think the chairperson did speak to the process that led to my engagement. I think there was a public advertisement of the job. I applied like any other Zambian would apply, went through the process, the chairperson did allude to the vetting steps that took place in addition to the actual interviews,” Kasaro said. “It wasn’t just a question of performance and the interview process but also vetting. And if there was anything to what is being alleged, I am confident that the employers would have been availed that and would not have made the decision that they made.”
Kasaro said he was looking forward to implementing the strategy and executing the role he was appointed to.
Asked if he tried to manipulate elections for the UPND as has been asserted, Kasaro said: “Not at all.”
Asked what confidence and assurance he was giving to the opposition that he would conduct straightforward elections involving the same opposition who do not trust him, given that they were key stakeholders in the process, Kasaro said the assurance should come from the way the process is designed and managed.
He said the system was open for checks and balances throughout the process, and that instead of relying on rumours, people must get to the truth.
Kasaro said he was ready to meet up and have honest discussions with stakeholders that were opposed to his appointment, saying the commission will continue to engage political parties through their representatives, including civil society, faith based organisations and other stakeholders.
And ECZ has expressed concern with what they describe as misinformation and disinformation as it has the potential to erode trust in the electoral process.
Speaking during the media CEO’s breakfast engagement with ECZ at Taj Pamozi Hotel, Zaloumis expressed concern with what she described as misinformation and disinformation.
“Like any organization we face challenges, and one critical at the moment … which I am sure you are aware of, is misinformation and disinformation. We seem to be victims to this all the time. But we are trying our best so that we can change the narrative. Misinformation and disinformation pose significant challenges in various aspects of society … An adverse outcome associated with misinformation and disinformation in the electoral process is erosion of trust and this has a negative impact on the democratic process” said Zaloumis.
But Daily Nation Newspaper editor-in-chief Richard Sakala disagreed with Zaloumis saying the media does not need to massage news to make them happy, but to report the truth.
“Secondly, commissioners, I wish to assure you that the media house’s here are responsible and ethical. They will tell you what is positive and negative. We should not massage news to make you happy,” said Sakala.
Kasaro said the media play a key role in educating voters on the electoral process.
“From our perspective we do recognize your key role in educating voters on how to exercise their democratic rights, and indeed reporting on the electoral process itself,” Kasaro said.
Meanwhile, some media institutions complained about lack of payment by ECZ for the advertisement the commission did on their media platform, some dating as far back as the 2016 elections, saying these resources were needed for investment in order to improve quality reporting.
Sun FM/TV executive president David Kabuswe complained that his Radio station from 2016 up to now has not been paid as the commission owes them over K400,000.
“I am one of the victims whose media has not gotten paid since 2016. We are owed over K 400,000.” Said Kabuswe.
But the ECZ through chairperson Zaloumis told the media owners not to worry as the commission was going to look into the matter to have it resolved promptly.
