ECZ urged to start registering remandees as voters- Malembeka

-
The Prisons Care and Counseling Association (PRISCCA) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to start registering remandees and convicted prisoners as voters.

PRISCA Executive Director, Dr Godfrey Malembeka says despite the ruling by the Constitutional Court that remandees and convicted prisoners who have appealed their cases will now be allowed to vote in elections, nothing is being done to ensure that these people are registered as voters.

Dr. Malembeka says there is need for the Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General to undertake a vigorous mobilization exercise and sensitize the prisoners on the need to register as voters.
He says his organization expected prisoners to participate in the forthcoming Mayoral by-election and other elections the country is having.

Dr. Malembeka says the ECZ should have used the Mayoral by-election as an opportunity to perfect the tools they are developing so that they know what to do as 2021 draws closer.

In August Last Year the Constitutional Court ruled that remandees and convicted prisoners who have appealed their cases will now be allowed to vote in elections .

In this case, Prison Care and Counselling Association executive director Godfrey Malembeka petitioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Attorney General in the Constitutional Court.
Mr Malembeka wanted the court to declare that section 7 (e) contravenes Article 45 (1) a, b, c and Article 46 of the Constitution and must be expunged from the State book.

He also wanted a declaration that all remandees and pre-trial remandees and convicts whose cases are on appeal and unable to secure bail be allowed to vote.

Dr Malembeka wanted the court to declare that all prisons in Zambia be polling centres.

In a judgment delivered in Lusaka on Monday by Constitutional Court judge Enoch Mulembe, it was ordered that persons in lawful custody and those whose freedom of movement is restricted under the law are allowed to vote in future elections.

Mr Justice Mulembe could, however, not order that prisons be polling centres to enable people in prison exercise their right to vote.

He said this is because the decision regarding the location of polling centres is a decision that the ECZ is best placed to make based on its mandate.

Mr Justice Mulembe said the ECZ must take necessary measures to ensure eligible people in lawful custody are enabled to register and vote.

And Mr Justice Mulembe said he could not grant the application to declare that Zambia is a progressive democracy because the country is already a democracy.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Professionals Unite to support Women and Children through New Foundation

-
Image
A new organization dedicated to addressing the vulnerabilities faced by women and children in communities has been launched. The Acquire to Share Foundation , led by professionals from various fields, aims to bridge the gap between the elite and the underprivileged by offering support in key areas such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Founded in August 2024 and registered under the Registrar of Societies, the foundation was established with the mission of bringing hope to the hopeless, reducing vulnerabilities, and advocating for the rights of marginalized groups . Speaking at the launch, Acquire to Share Foundation Executive Director Victoria Yambani   has stated that the organization’s commitment to providing access to quality education and healthcare , supporting economic empowerment programs  for families of vulnerable women and children, and protecting them from exploitation and abuse . Mrs. Yambani  has  called on the government, stakeholders...
Read more

Zambia’s Agriculture Sector flourishes as SAFF Loans reach 8,715 farmers.

-
Image
The Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) has made a significant impact on Zambia's farming community, providing loans to 8,715 farmers across the country. Through this initiative, farmers have gained access to crucial resources that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future in the sector. According to Balewa Zyuulu, the Principal Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative has helped drive substantial improvements in the farming sector. “ As of March 2025, a total of K755.2 million has been disbursed, with over K640.3 million already utilized by farmers. This funding has directly contributed to investments in farming activities, resulting in greater efficiency and productivity,” Mr. Zyuulu explained. He said SAFF is a cornerstone of the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), a government-led ef...
Read more

Sinazongwe MP endorses HH for 2026, offers to Lead Campaign

-
Image
United Party for National Development (UPND) Sinazongwe Member of Parliament, Gift Sialubalo, has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema as the preferred candidate for the party in the 2026 general elections. Furthermore, Mr. Sialubalo has committed to remaining as President Hichilema’s campaign manager for the upcoming election cycle. In his endorsement,  Mr.   Sialubalo has emphasized that the President has fulfilled nearly all of his campaign promises in Sinazongwe, making a compelling case for his continued leadership. He has highlighted the transformative changes in the constituency, particularly in the rural areas where development was once scarce. "Sinazongwe has witnessed significant change, especially in rural parts where basic infrastructure such as maternity annexes and water systems were unheard of. The President’s leadership has brought these projects to life," Mr. Sialubalo noted. He has also pointed out major infrastructure developments, such as the ongoing work...
Read more