Electoral Commission Schedules Local Government By-Elections for June

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has organised for local government by-elections to be held in three wards on Tuesday 9th June, according to a statement issued by the commission’s public relations manager, Margaret Chimanse. 

Elections will take place in the Nakato and Imalyo wards of Mongu Town Council, and in the Western Province and Bulilo ward of Chilubi Town Council in Northern Province. 

This is despite the fact the that the number of cases of Covid-19 in Zambia continues to rise, with 76 cases confirmed as of Friday morning. 

The electoral commission says it has put measures in place to protect the public from the pandemic, including dissuading political parties from holding public rallies.

Mrs Chimanse said she has encouraged parties and other stakeholders to use alternative campaign strategies such as a mobile public address system, distributing flyers, and other approaches that minimise personal contact.

Elsewhere in the world, elections have been postponed while countries attempt to prevent the spread of the pandemic. In the UK, local elections scheduled for May have been postponed until 2021.

In South Korea, national elections proceeded last week despite 60,000 people being in quarantine due to the virus. Extreme safety precautions were taken, with anyone exhibiting a temperature about 37.5C having to cast their vote in a separate booth.