Zambia’ law precludes a Diaspora Vote, insists GEARS’ Mcdonald Chipenzi

By Derrick Sinjela and Luswepo Mutepuka – Kwilanzi News Zambia

GOVERNANCE, Elections, Advocacy, and Research Services GEARS Initiative Zambia Executive Director Mcdonald Chipenzi says there is no law currently allowing Zambians living in the Diaspora to Vote.

Following comments attributed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe indicating plans to engage the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Justice Essau Chulu and Chief Electoral Officer, Kryticous Patrick Nshindando, electoral expert Chipenzi branded such an intention as unconstitutional.

Chipenzi dismissed possibilities of creating a platform on which Zambians in Diaspora would participate in the Thursday 12th August 2021 elections, exactly 331 days as at Wednesday 16th August 2020.

Mr. Chipenzi says the proposed amendments to the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of the 2016 highlighted the need for such a provision and cannot be used unless the law is finally enacted.

Chipenzi said in an interview in Lusaka that there is too much on the plate of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, which they had swallowed and may fail to chew.

Chipenzi fearedthat the proposal would create more teething challenges within the board and management at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

Mr. Chipenzi restated that Diaspora and Prisoner vote will be too huge task for the Commission to cope.

The GEARS Initiative Zambia Executive Director urged proponents of the Diaspora Vote proposing that such progressive ideas must be shelved for the 2026 General Election.

Mr. Chipenzi has wondered why is government wants to include it as a 2021 campaign matter.