LUSAKA, Aug. 7 — Zambia’s electoral body has denied reports that it is secretly amending the country’s electoral laws to include electronic voting ahead of next year’s general elections.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said it is not true that the ECZ plans to introduce electronic voting in next year’s elections.
“This position remains unchanged. Any claims suggesting otherwise are incorrect and aimed at inciting the public,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He clarified that the automated biometric identification system adopted by the ECZ is a tool for voter registration designed to prevent duplicate registrations and does not involve voting or tallying of election results, as some have alleged.
Kasaro also refuted claims that the electoral body is secretly changing electoral laws to favor the governing party in next year’s polls.
He emphasized that the ECZ has been transparent in conducting electoral reforms, including the appointment of an inclusive technical committee to review the electoral framework.
Zambia is scheduled to hold general elections on Aug. 12 next year. (Xinhua)
