What to Expect Inside the Polling Station on Thursday

 VOTER GUIDE | What to Expect Inside the Polling Station on Thursday On Thursday, August 13, millions of Zambians will go to polling stations to elect a President, Members of Parliament, Mayors or Council Chairpersons and Ward Councillors. For first-time voters, and even those who have voted before, understanding what happens inside the polling […]

 VOTER GUIDE | What to Expect Inside the Polling Station on Thursday

On Thursday, August 13, millions of Zambians will go to polling stations to elect a President, Members of Parliament, Mayors or Council Chairpersons and Ward Councillors. For first-time voters, and even those who have voted before, understanding what happens inside the polling station can make the process easier.

Before leaving home, remember two important documents: your Green National Registration Card and your voter’s card. You should report to the polling station where you are registered. At polling stations with several voting streams, officials will direct you to the correct queue.

Once inside, you will move through a series of tables.

TABLE 1: IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION

At the first table, a polling assistant will check your Green NRC and voter’s card and verify your details against the register of voters. You must be registered at that polling station to vote there.

TABLE 2: INKING AND PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT

Your hand will first be checked before your right thumb is marked with indelible ink. You will then be issued with the Presidential ballot paper.m

Before accepting the ballot paper, check that it bears the official mark on the back. A ballot paper without the required official mark can be rejected during count

TABLE 3: THE OTHER THREE BALLOTS

You will then receive three additional ballot papers for:

1. National Assembly — Member of Parliament
2. Mayor or Council Chairperson
3. Ward Councillor

These ballot papers must also bear the official mark.

You should therefore leave the issuing tables with four ballot papers: President, MP, Mayor/Council Chairperson and Councillor.

THE VOTING BOOTH

You will then enter the polling booth. This is where you vote privately.

Place an X in the box to the right of the ONE candidate of your choice on each ballot paper. Do not write your name, signature or anything capable of identifying you. Do not vote for more than one candidate on the same ballot.

Your vote is secret. Nobody is entitled to know how you voted.

If you accidentally spoil a ballot paper before putting it into the ballot box, do not deposit it. Inform the Presiding Officer. ECZ procedures allow an accidentally spoilt ballot to be replaced after the officer is satisfied about what happened.

KNOW THE FOUR COLOURS

After voting, place each ballot paper into its corresponding ballot box. The colour of the ballot paper corresponds with the colour of the ballot-box lid:

 ORANGE — PRESIDENT

 RED — MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

 PURPLE — MAYOR/COUNCIL CHAIRPER

⬛ BLACK — WARD COUNCILLOR

Take your time. Putting each ballot into the correct box is part of completing the voting process.

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

The Presiding Officer, stationed at Table 4 under the ECZ voting layout, oversees activities at the polling station. Polling assistants perform duties including voter verification, inking, issuing ballot papers and directing voters through the voting process.

If you are confused at any stage, ask an election official before proceeding. Do not guess.

Persons who require assistance, including voters with disabilities, the visually impaired and illiterate voters, can request assistance in accordance with ECZ procedures. Expectant mothers, persons with disabilities and elderly voters may also receive priority in queues.

AFTER VOTING

Once you have deposited all four ballots, your voting process is complete. Leave the polling station without unnecessary delay.

Remember that campaigning does not continue inside the polling station. Canvassing for votes within 400 metres of a polling station on polling day is an electoral offence. Do not attempt to influence people waiting to vote, and do not remain around the polling station after being directed to leave.

Most importantly, do not photograph or expose your marked ballots. Voting is conducted by secret ballot.

Thursday is not complicated: carry your Green NRC and voter’s card, verify your details, receive four officially marked ballot papers, vote for one candidate on each, use the correct ballot boxes and leave peacefully after voting.

When in doubt, ask the polling staff. Your vote is your right. Your choice is your own.

This voter guide has been prepared using Electoral Commission of Zambia voter-education procedures. Voters should follow instructions issued by ECZ officials at their respective polling stations.

© The People’s Brief | Editorial Crew