Tonse Pamodzi Alliance raises alarm over “already marked” registers in Western Province

26 Views The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has raised serious concerns over allegations of already marked voters’ registers in parts of Western Province, just one day before Zambia goes to the polls. Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila on Wednesday cautioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), warning the Commission against any conduct that could […]

26 Views

The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has raised serious concerns over allegations of already marked voters’ registers in parts of Western Province, just one day before Zambia goes to the polls.

Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila on Wednesday cautioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), warning the Commission against any conduct that could undermine the will of voters.

“We are receiving reports of registers that appear to have been pre-marked in Western Province,” Mukandila said. “The Electoral Commission of Zambia must be serious and not play with the Zambian people’s choices.”

Mukandila said the Alliance has deployed agents and monitors to verify the claims and will not allow irregularities to go unchecked.

“We shall follow this to the core,” he stated. “The people of Zambia deserve a free, fair, and credible election. Any attempt to tamper with the process will be met with resistance.”

The allegations come as the country enters the final hours of campaigning ahead of the August 13 General Election. ECZ is expected to oversee presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections nationwide.

Western Province is considered a key battleground and has historically recorded high voter turnout.

As of press time, the Electoral Commission of Zambia had not responded to the allegations. ECZ has previously assured stakeholders that all electoral materials are secure and that it is committed to delivering a transparent election.

SADC observers under the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) are already deployed across the country. SADC Chairperson President Arthur Peter Mutharika on August 11 urged Zambians to uphold peace and tolerance “both during and after election day.”

The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance says it will submit formal complaints to ECZ and relevant authorities if the reports are confirmed.

_We will update this story as more details emerge._