Huge turnout in Lusaka as Zambia votes

83 Views Voters across Zambia gathered from the early hours this morning, with long queues forming at polling stations nationwide as citizens prepared to exercise their democratic right. A snap survey across a number of polling centers in Lusaka revealed a massive turnout amid a relatively peaceful environment. Youths lead early voting in Lusaka. Just […]

83 Views

Voters across Zambia gathered from the early hours this morning, with long queues forming at polling stations nationwide as citizens prepared to exercise their democratic right.

A snap survey across a number of polling centers in Lusaka revealed a massive turnout amid a relatively peaceful environment.

Youths lead early voting in Lusaka. Just like at a number of polling places across the capital, voters at the University of Zambia, mainly the youth, gathered in numbers to cast their vote.

Students arrived before polling opened, forming orderly lines at campus polling stations. Many said they wanted to vote early before studies and other commitments.

Not to be left out, senior citizens were also among those turning up early to cast their votes at Chakunkula School Polling Station in Munali Constituency, as voting continued across Lusaka.

At several stations, voters brought umbrellas and chairs and waited patiently. Electoral officials conducted standard opening procedures, including displaying empty ballot boxes and verifying materials, before voting commenced at 06:00 hours.

Vice President casts ballot, calls for peace

Vice President Mutale Nalumango was among the first to cast her vote and said the peaceful atmosphere at polling stations is a reflection of Zambia’s commitment to democracy and peaceful elections.

She has since urged Zambians to turn out in numbers and vote, saying every vote counts in determining the country’s future.

The Vice President said this after casting her vote today at Energema Pentecostal Church 03 polling station in the Ranchdale area, Chongwe district.

She noted that Zambia is a peaceful nation that values unity and love, and it will remain peaceful regardless of the outcome of the election.

“Let us maintain peace before, during and after voting,” she said. “Your vote is your voice.”

Calm and orderly across the country

From Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and across all ten provinces, voting has proceeded in a calm and orderly fashion.

Voters are seen waiting patiently to cast their ballots. The peaceful conduct observed so far stands in line with free and fair election practices.

In Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola, polling stations opened on time with party agents and observers present. In Southern, Eastern and Western provinces, residents walked long distances to reach polling centers but reported no major incidents.

Electoral Commission of Zambia officials said materials were delivered to most stations overnight. Security personnel were deployed to maintain order without interfering with the process.

Traditional leaders take part

Elsewhere, Senior Chief Ishindi and his Queen of the Lunda-speaking people in Zambezi District, North-Western Province, are among other voters at Kawumbu Primary School polling station as they wait to cast their votes in the newly created Zambezi Central Constituency.

The presence of traditional leaders at polling stations was noted by observers as a sign of broad participation. Voters in rural areas said they turned out early to avoid crowds later in the day.

Minor delays reported

While most stations opened smoothly, some experienced delays.

Ndoloka Polling Station in Kasama had not yet opened by mid-morning, with voters seen waiting under trees for the polling station to open.

The polling station has 583 registered voters. ECZ officials in the district said they were working to resolve the issue and that voting would commence once materials arrived.

Voting at Mungoni Liso polling station at Kamwala Primary School was also delayed after officials informed voters that the keys to the school gate had been misplaced.

Officials later gained access and opened the station. Voters who had been waiting outside moved in to cast their ballots.

High interest among first-time voters

At the University of Zambia and other tertiary institutions, first-time voters were prominent in the queues. Many cited issues such as jobs, education and the economy as reasons for turning out.

“We have to decide the future now,” said one student voter in Lusaka. “That’s why I am here early.”

Senior citizens at Chakunkula School said they have voted in every election since independence and would not miss this one.

What happens next

Polling stations are scheduled to close in the evening, after which counting will begin at each station in the presence of party agents and observers. Results will then be transmitted to constituency totaling centers.

The ECZ has urged voters to remain peaceful and patient. Regional and international observer missions, including the SADC Election Observation Mission, are monitoring the process across the country.

As of mid-morning, the overall picture was one of high participation. Long lines stretched outside schools, churches and community halls in Lusaka and beyond, but the mood remained calm.

Zambians voting today are electing a President, Members of Parliament, and councilors in an exercise that will determine the country’s leadership for the next five years.

With turnout reported as huge in the capital and steady across provinces, election officials and voters alike expressed hope that the peaceful start would continue through to the announcement of results.