By Esther Chisola
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is unable to grant the request by Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) leader Sean Tembo to avail President Hakainde Hichilema’s assets he declared with the commission in 2021.
On January 16, 2024, Tembo made a follow up on the request for President Hichilema to declare his assets and liabilities made during the August 2021 general elections pursuant to section 10 of the Access to Information Act No. 24 of the 2023.
In response, commission chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro stated that a commencement order had not yet been issued to operationalise the Access to Information Act.
“You may wish to note that a commencement order has not yet been issued to operationalize the Act. In view of the reasons stated above, the Commission is unable to grant your request as the Act has not come into effect,” stated Kasaro. “Please be advised that section 1 of the access to information Act No. 24 of 2023 provides for commencement and it is mandatory that the act shall come into operation on the date appointed by the Minister, by Statutory Instrument.”
Kasaro further stated that Tembo’s request could not be granted.
