Youths, Refrain From Violence – ECZ

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Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:26:53 +0000
News Stories, 2016 general elections, ECZ

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has appealed to youths in Masaiti District to exercise maximum restraint to acts of violence and behaviors which are likely to lead to anarchy during campaigns and the by-election for Council Chairperson, to be held on 25th April, 2017.

The seat in Masaiti District fell vacant following the resignation of Edward Musamba, a former UPND Council Chairperson.

The Commission held two Youth Conferences in Masaiti and Kafulafuta Constituencies on 18th March, 2017 at Masaiti and Chiwala Boys Technical Secondary Schools. 295 youths drawn from various political parties, civil society, schools and the church attended the youth conferences.

The Conferences were graced by the Provincial Electoral Officer (PEO) Mr Macloudy Nyirenda and the District Electoral Officer (DEO) Mr. Emmanuel Chilombo for Masaiti District respectively who both urged youths who are registered voters in the district to ensure that they turn up to vote during the forth-coming by-elections.

Through the youth conferences, the Commission would like to raise a pool of knowledgeable and enthusiastic young people who can speak to other young people about the operations of the Commission and the electoral process in general.

The youth in Zambia make up more than 50 per cent of the registered voters on the current voters register of over six million (6.69 million people) and as such, the youth are relevant to the conduct of successful elections.

The youth are an important category of a population of any country because they make up a pool of people who are to occupy leadership positions for future social, political and economic development.