ECZ alarmed by Tonse Alliance

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has described as alarming and inflammatory a statement issued by the TONSE Alliance in which it intends to search individuals, including voters and poll staff, to determine that they are not carrying any pre-marked ballots or participating in rigging schemes.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro, says the statement has the potential to discourage voters from going to polling stations on Election Day to cast their vote.

Mr. Kasaro says such statements amount to intimidation and a threat to voters and poll staff, which is contrary to the principles of a free and credible electoral process.

In a statement to ZNBC News, Mr. Kasaro said it will not allow any political party to conduct searches on individuals or poll staff as insinuated.

Mr. Kasaro has urged all political parties and the TONSE Alliance to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

Mr. Kasaro has assured the voters in Kawambwa of their safety as they go to vote and that the election will be conducted in a transparent, free, and fair manner.