By CATHERINE NYIRENDA? –
THE Zambia Electoral Alliance (ZEA), a composition of six civil society organisations, have been invited to monitor elections in Mozambique slated for tomorrow.
The alliance is also part of the observer mission in Botswana’s general elections on October 24, 2014.
ZEA spokesperson Guess Nyirenda said the alliance was delighted at the continued recognition of its member organisations’ efforts, electoral process knowhow and expertise by regional and international observer missions.
The invitation comes after the successful engagement and participation by ZEA in the electoral observer missions in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa and Malawi.
“The recognition of the expertise and electoral observation knowhow by the SADC Lawyers Association (SADC-LA), SADC Electoral Support Network (SADC-ESN) and other regional and international missions of the OYV, FODEP, SACCORD and other ZEA members is elating and gratifying,’’ Mr Nyirenda said.
From the consistent monitoring of the local elections in different constituencies and wards, the alliance had built a critical group of election monitoring and observation teams with an understanding of the local, regional and international norms and standards.
The consistency made the Zambia Electoral Network and its member organisations critical stakeholders and players in Zambia’s holding of any election including the 2016 tripartite elections.
The alliance encourages its member organisations to continue putting in their best in the International Electoral Observer Missions as they were not only representing the alliance and their respective organisations but were also the face of the entire Zambia as ambassadors.
The six member organisations that make ZEA include Anti Voter Apathy (AVAP), Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA).
Others are Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) and Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL).