CSOs URGE ECZ, ACC TO PROBE ALLEGED CAMPAIGN SMS LINKING SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS TO VOTES A consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to investigate reports of text messages allegedly linking Social Cash Transfer (SCT) benefits to voting for President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling UPND in […]

CSOs URGE ECZ, ACC TO PROBE ALLEGED CAMPAIGN SMS LINKING SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS TO VOTES

A consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to investigate reports of text messages allegedly linking Social Cash Transfer (SCT) benefits to voting for President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling UPND in the run-up to the August General Election.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Linda Kasonde, Executive Director of LCK Freedom Foundation, said the messages had not yet been independently verified and appealed to members of the public who had received them to submit copies to the relevant authorities for investigation.

She said it was important that the authenticity, origin and purpose of the messages be established through an independent inquiry

Ms Kasonde also urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate whether the alleged conduct amounts to a corrupt or illegal electoral practice under the Electoral Process Act and the Anti-Corruption Act.

In addition, she called on the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to investigate the source of the contact database used to send the messages and determine whether personal information belonging to Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries was unlawfully processed or disclosed.

The CSOs further appealed to Government to publicly reassure citizens that Social Cash Transfer payments and other social protection programmes are legal entitlements that are not conditional on how beneficiaries vote and will continue regardless of the outcome of the August 13 General Election.

The consortium behind the statement comprises several civil society organisations, including LCK Freedom Foundation, ActionAid Zambia, Alliance for Community Action, Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation and Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, among others.

The organisations say the investigations are necessary to safeguard electoral integrity, protect citizens’ personal data and maintain public confidence in Zambia’s democratic processes ahead of the polls.