By SYLVESTER MWALE –

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) says the 2015 presidential elections were held in a professional manner despite being conducted at short notice.
EISA Election Observer Mission delegation leader Cassam Uteem said the electoral process had been in conformity with international standards for credible elections.
Mr Uteem said when he released the preliminary findings of the Tuesday’s polls that his team had noted a peaceful and orderly atmosphere in all polling stations it observed.
The organisation’s assessment of the polls was based on the principles and standards set out in African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance among other accords.
EISA which has observed more than 70 elections in Africa deployed 14 members spread in five provinces before, during and after the polls.
“The mission noted with satisfaction that the ECZ conducted the election largely in accordance with the legal framework of Zambia and in line with international standards” said Mr Uteem who is also former president of Mauritius.
Mr Uteem noted that the campaigns were characterised by intolerance through the use of abusive language by some political leaders which could amount to hate speech.
“Incidences of violence were also recorded within political parties and between the different political parties,” he said.
Mr Uteem however noted that both the ECZ as well as the police were able to defuse the tension by using conflict management committees.
The organisation also recommended that Zambia adopts a system of presidential running mate to avoid costly and disruptive presidential by-elections.
Meanwhile, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has said the Tuesday’s elections were transparent and peaceful.
COMESA Observer Mission leader Simbi Mubako said when he released the preliminary findings of the polls that Zambians have demonstrated maturity in managing peaceful transition.
Dr Mubako said the election campaigns were peaceful despite some incidences of violence.
He said the mission noted the remarkable effort made by the ECZ to prepare for the polls in a timely and transparent manner.
The mission spread its observers in five provinces, namely Lusaka, Eastern, Copperbelt, Southern and Western.
Dr Mubako said the COMESA observers noted low turnouts of voters in both rural and urban areas noting that voters were constrained by the rains in the morning.
He further stated that the polling procedure was adhered to by polling officials who provided assistance to voters who needed guidance.
“COMESA observers noted that some voters presented themselves in wrong places and were redirected to the right stations by the polling officials,” he said.