By CHILA NAMAIKO –
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Bill yesterday passed second reading with the Parliamentary committee on delegated legislation recommending that the Government adequately funds ECZ to eliminate any need to contract loans for the discharge of its functions.
Vice-President Inonge Wina reaffirmed that the ECZ would remain an autonomous body, and that some of the contentious matters being raised by members over the institution were already being worked on and would be circulated during the committee stage of the Bill today.
Delivering a speech to the House on the second reading of ECZ Bill, committee chairperson Garry Nkombo said the Commission should not be allowed to receive money and contract loans directly as that was the function of the responsible ministry.
“Electoral events are a core function of a democratic State and thus the Government must remain the primary source of funding for the management of all electoral events,” Mr Nkombo said.
Debating on the Bill, MMD Kasempa Member of Parliament (MP) Kabinga Pande called for adherence to the electoral code of conduct ahead of the August 11 general elections and the need to avert political violence.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Kalomo MP Request Muntanga wondered why the electoral body had allegedly banned the use of cellular phones during the counting of ballot papers in the forthcoming elections, saying such a development could bring about suspicions from the electorate.
Patriotic Front (PF) Kawambwa MP Nixon Chilangwa, however, praised the ECZ for its credibility, saying the institution had in the past years conducted free and fair elections, thereby becoming one of the most recognised electoral bodies in Africa.
The Police-Public Complaints Commission Bill, Industrial Designs Bill, Judiciary Administration Bill, Passport Bill, Compensation Bill and the Public Audit Bill also passed the second reading stages and were expected to go through the committee stage today.